Over 100 Indians, 37 NRIs missing after flash floods hit Nepal.
At least 105 Indians and 37 NRIs are among nearly 400 people reported missing after a massive flash flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border on Wednesday, killing at least 95 people and causing widespread damage to settlements and infrastructure. The sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River struck the Rasuwagadhi-Timure area at around 9 am local time, affecting Rasuwa as well as parts of neighbouring Nuwakot and Dhading districts. 105 Indians, 37 missing According to a preliminary list compiled by the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, have been reported missing following the flash flood. Of the foreign nationals, 105 are Indian tourists and 37 are non-resident Indians (NRIs). Bashu Kumar Adhikari, managing director of Kathmandu-based Touch Kailash Travels & Tours, said 390 pilgrims, including 93 Nepalis, were scheduled to cross the border on Wednesday. Several dead, rescue operations under way The death toll from the catastrophic flash floods along Nepal’s Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors has risen to 95, according to official updates, Reuters reported.
The list also includes travellers from the US, Malaysia, the UK, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands, while the nationalities of some others are yet to be confirmed.
The Tourism Board said the list is preliminary and is being verified in coordination with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies. “Except for a few, we have not been able to establish contact with the pilgrims as of 3pm,” Adhikari said, according to The Kathmandu Post. Sagar Pandey, president of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, said efforts were underway to contact the pilgrims and assess their condition.
The flooding washed away vehicles, goods, bridges and other infrastructure, while several hydropower projects were also damaged. It urged travellers and their families not to draw conclusions until the verification process is complete. Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims among those missing A large number of those out of contact are believed to be pilgrims travelling to Tibet for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra .
Police said 93 people have also been injured. 1 in Trishuli to provide emergency medical care. PM Balendra Shah says over 90 dead, 250 rescued Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah said more than 90 people have died in the devastating flash floods in the country, while over 250 people have been rescued so far. In a televised address, Shah said 100 beds have been reserved at hospitals in Kathmandu for free treatment of those injured in the floods. Shah said helicopters had rescued more than 250 people so far, while those injured were being airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. 100 hospital beds allocated for injured Shah said 100 beds at Bir Hospital and the National Trauma Centre in Kathmandu had been allocated for free treatment of flood victims. Flood alert issued along Gandak river in Bihar The Indian government has issued an advisory after a sudden rise in the water level of Nepal’s Trishuli river at Furke Khola, around 160 km from the Indian border, was reported amid suspected glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) activity near the Nepal-China border. Eight operational hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW and five projects under construction in Rasuwa and Nuwakot were damaged, according to the Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal. Among the affected operational projects are the 111-MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, 78-MW Sanjen Khola Hydropower Project and 60-MW Upper Trishuli 3A project. Those seeking assistance can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500. The Nepal Tourism Board has also provided a toll-free emergency number, 1234, along with hotline 1144 and Tourist Police number 9851289445. Earlier reporting noted: At least 844 travellers, including 133 Indians, have been reported missing following a flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday morning, the Nepal Tourism Board said. The missing travellers include 466 foreign nationals and 113 Nepali nationals. Earlier reporting noted: Those seeking assistance can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500, the MEA said. Earlier reporting noted: Of the 466 foreign nationals reported missing, others include citizens of Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. Earlier, four Armed Police Force personnel were reported missing from Rasuwa, while nine personnel stationed at Timure, near the Nepal-China border, were also reported unaccounted for. Officials have received informal information that a landslide may have temporarily blocked a river in Tibet before the swollen water burst through, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Four bodies were recovered from Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot and found near the Trishuli river, police said. The Nepal Army said six people were rescued from Syafrubesi, two from Mailung and four from Dhunche in Rasuwa. The sudden and devastating flood in Rasuwa’s Bhote Koshi River has left the entire nation shocked and grieving,” Shah said. He said the government mobilised all available forces after receiving reports of the disaster. “Food, clean drinking water, medicines and temporary shelter will be provided immediately to all affected families,” Shah said. NDRF deploys teams in Bihar amid flood alert NDRF teams have been deployed in West Champaran and Muzaffarpur as a precautionary measure amid the flood alert, NDRF Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela told ANI. In a post on X, Yogi said, “The damage caused by the devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa region is extremely worrying. “In view of the rise in water levels of the Gandak and Narayani rivers and the possibility of flooding in Uttar Pradesh’s districts of Maharajganj and Kushinagar due to its impact, instructions have been issued to the local administration to remain fully vigilant and ensure necessary preparations,” he added. The government is also preparing to deploy National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to Nepal to assist with search-and-rescue and relief operations in the affected areas, officials said. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the embassy was working with Nepalese authorities to ensure the early rescue and relief of affected Indians. “Embassy of India in Nepal is closely coordinating with Government of Nepal for the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by today’s flash floods in Nepal,” Jaiswal posted on X. President Murmu expresses solidarity President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences to Nepal over the devastation caused by the flash floods and said India was ready to support the country’s relief and rescue efforts. Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said the flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa. Dinkar Kayastha, information officer at the department, said, “We are still studying the matter, so the real cause is not yet known. He also warned that the risk from the Tibetan side had not disappeared and said, “we need to be cautious.
The flooding, which originated in the Rasuwa border area and surged downstream, has affected several districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan. The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations. Fourteen helicopters, along with drones and sniffer dogs, are being used to locate missing people and assist those stranded in affected areas. It has also set up a treatment centre at the Military Training Centre No. Emergency meetings of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the National Council and the Cabinet were held to speed up rescue and relief operations. The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been deployed in the affected areas. Major hospitals across the Kathmandu Valley have also been placed on standby. Medical teams, including doctors, have been sent to affected areas, with additional support from Nepal Scouts and the World Health Organization. The prime minister identified the worst-hit areas as Bidur in Nuwakot; Uttargaya and Gosaikunda in Rasuwa; Gajuri, Galchi, Benighat, Tripurasundari and Siddhalek in Dhading; and Shahid Lakhan and Gandaki rural municipalities in Gorkha. “The government will take full responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelter. He also urged social organisations, businesses, youth volunteers and citizens to support the ongoing rescue and relief operations. PM Modi expresses solidarity with Nepal Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the devastating floods. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” PM Modi posted on X. “India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts,” he added. Shah assured the Bihar government of all possible assistance to deal with the situation. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is also being mobilised to respond to any emergency. A total of nine NDRF teams are currently stationed across Bihar, while the situation is being closely monitored, Bundela added. UP CM urges districts to remain vigilant Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed concern over the flood situation in Nepal and directed local authorities in vulnerable districts to remain alert. Prayers to Lord Pashupatinath for the safety of all. The emergency consignment will include medicines, rations and other essential supplies as part of the government’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts. “I convey my deepest sympathies to Rt Hon President Mr. “We express our solidarity with Nepal at this difficult hour. India stands ready to support the relief and rescue efforts of the Government of Nepal for those affected by this calamity,” she added. Widespread damage, villages washed away Rasuwa has emerged as the worst-hit district, with Timure and Syafrubesi among the areas suffering extensive damage. Vehicles and goods stored at the customs premises were swept away and a recently built bridge was destroyed. Several settlements along the river have also been affected, including Syaphrubesi, Betrawati, Mailung, Salletar, Shantibazar, Pairebesi, Khalti Basti, Sole, Trishuli and Battar. A bridge in Gajuri in Dhading district was also washed away. The flash flood has severely affected Nepal’s trade route with Tibet, with infrastructure at Rasuwagadhi, an important border crossing with China, damaged in the disaster. Hydropower projects damaged The flooding has also hit Nepal’s hydropower sector. What caused the flash flood? The exact cause of the sudden rise in the Bhote Koshi River remains unclear. Officials are examining whether it could have been triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood, a landslide or another event on the Tibetan side of the border. Authorities issue safety warning Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has placed several downstream districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitawan and Gorkha, on high alert. Authorities have urged people living near the Trishuli and other rivers to stay away from riverbanks and move to safer areas. Tourists in the affected regions have also been advised to remain calm, stay informed and follow official safety instructions. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals affected by the floods. Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
“I stand before you today with a heavy heart. India sends relief aid to flood-hit Nepal India is sending relief material to flood-hit Nepal on Indian Air Force aircraft after massive flash floods swept through several northern districts of the neighbouring country on Wednesday, officials said. Embassy coordinating with Nepal The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is closely coordinating with the Nepal government for the rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by the flash floods in the Himalayan country, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday. Ramchandra Paudel and the people of Nepal on the devastation caused by the flash floods today,” Murmu said in a post on X.
The advisory said the flood wave is expected to move downstream into the Gandak river, with its intensity likely to reduce as it travels. Amit Shah speaks to Bihar CM In view of the potential flood threat in Bihar following heavy rainfall in Nepal, Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary over the phone, according to news agency ANI. Authorities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh along the India-Nepal border have been asked to remain alert and closely monitor the situation. Authorities have also been advised to take necessary precautionary measures along the Gandak river. The gates of the Gandak Barrage should be operated in a manner that allows the anticipated floodwater to pass through safely.