1 week ago
Tamil Nadu Leaders Seek Rescue of Tourists in Nepal Floods
A very large flash flood hit parts of Nepal near the Tibet border.
The flood damaged roads, bridges, communication links and hydropower projects.
Many Indian tourists were in the affected area, including travelers from Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu leaders said about 50 tourists from the state were missing or stranded.
Another leader said more than 400 Indians were stranded and that 22 people had been rescued.
A further report said the whereabouts of more than 37 Tamil Nadu tourists were unknown.
Bad weather and difficult mountain terrain made rescue work harder.
Families in Tamil Nadu were worried because they could not contact some travelers.
The leaders asked Indian, Tamil Nadu and Nepalese authorities to work together to rescue people and bring them home safely.
Flash floods swept Nepal’s Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot districts early Wednesday, damaging roads, bridges and hydropower projects.
Dayanidhi Maran urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to rescue and repatriate Indian tourists, including about 50 from Tamil Nadu.
Anbumani Ramadoss said more than 400 Indians were stranded, including 57 from the Kumbakonam area, with 22 reportedly rescued.
T T V Dhinakaran said the whereabouts of more than 37 Tamil Nadu tourists remained unknown and called for Centre-state coordination.
Reports cited differing tolls and missing-person figures, ranging from four to at least seven deaths and from 20 to hundreds missing.
- Who
- Indian tourists, including travelers from Tamil Nadu, were affected; Dayanidhi Maran, Anbumani Ramadoss and T T V Dhinakaran sought government action.
- What
- A flash flood stranded or left tourists missing and prompted appeals for rescue, humanitarian assistance and repatriation.
- Where
- The affected areas were Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district in Nepal; some Tamil Nadu travelers were from the Kumbakonam area.
- When
- The flooding and appeals occurred on Wednesday, August 26, 2026; the flood reportedly surged at about 9 a.m. local time.
- Why
- The Bhote Koshi River surged suddenly, while continuing flood conditions, damaged infrastructure and difficult terrain disrupted travel and rescue operations.
Lower or Officially Cited Estimates
Higher Reported Estimates
Deaths and missing people
Lower or Officially Cited Estimates
One account citing officials reported four deaths, while another report cited seven deaths and 20 missing people.
Higher Reported Estimates
Social-media reports embedded in the coverage cited 17 deaths and 380 missing people, but the articles did not establish these figures as confirmed.
Number of affected Tamil Nadu travelers
Lower or Officially Cited Estimates
Dayanidhi Maran referred to nearly 50 Tamil Nadu tourists as stranded or missing, while T T V Dhinakaran said more than 37 had unknown whereabouts.
Higher Reported Estimates
Anbumani Ramadoss reported that more than 400 Indians were stranded, including 57 people from the Kumbakonam area.
Key facts
- Affected districts
- Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot in Nepal
- Reported flood time
- Around 9 a.m. local time on August 26, 2026
- Tamil Nadu tourists
- Dayanidhi Maran cited nearly 50; Anbumani Ramadoss cited 57 from the Kumbakonam area
- Indians reportedly stranded
- More than 400, according to Anbumani Ramadoss
- Reported rescues
- Twenty-two people were reportedly rescued, according to Anbumani Ramadoss
- Infrastructure damage
- Roads, bridges, communication and transportation networks, and at least a dozen hydropower projects were reportedly damaged
- Tamil Nadu helpline
- The reported toll-free number for information on missing or stranded people was 1800 309 3793
Quotes
Anbumani Ramadoss
PMK president
“Reports indicate that several people have lost their lives and many others, including nearly 50 tourists from Tamil Nadu, remain missing, while rescue operations are being severely hampered by the difficult terrain and continuing flood conditions.”
deccanchronicle.com
freepressjournal.in
“It is reported that 22 of them have been rescued, while there is no information about the others.”
deccanchronicle.com
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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