Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Nepal Floods: Indian Rescue Efforts Expand Amid Rising Death Toll
Heavy floods struck parts of Nepal near the Tibet border and along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.
Many people were rescued, including Indian citizens.
Different updates reported 88, 108 and later 149 Indians rescued.
The number of Indians still missing was reported as 287 in one update and 275 in another.
Nepal’s reported death toll rose as rescuers found more bodies.
India sent food, medicine, generators and other emergency supplies.
India also sent doctors, forensic experts and tunnel-rescue workers.
Rescue teams are trying to reach people who may be trapped inside tunnels.
Flooding and large amounts of debris have made the work difficult.
Indian rescue figures rose from 88 to 108 and then 149 across updates dated August 29-30, 2026.
Reports gave differing figures for missing Indians, with 287 reported on August 29 and 275 on August 30.
Nepal’s reported death toll increased from 675 to 794 as authorities recovered more bodies.
India sent 68.5 tonnes of relief supplies, forensic experts, medical staff and tunnel-rescue specialists to Nepal.
Rescuers faced debris-filled tunnels, disrupted roads and communications, while thousands of security personnel continued operations.
- Who
- Flood-affected residents, Indian nationals, Nepalese authorities, Indian relief teams, and specialists from India and China.
- What
- Flooding caused deaths, missing persons and infrastructure damage, while Nepal and international teams conducted rescue, evacuation, identification and relief operations.
- When
- The floods began on August 26, 2026, according to one report; updates were issued on August 29 and 30, 2026.
- Where
- Flood-hit areas of Nepal, including the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors, Rasuwa and hydropower projects near the Nepal-Tibet border.
- Why
- Heavy rains and flash floods disrupted roads, communications and access routes, leaving people stranded or potentially trapped.
Earlier Situation Reports
Later Situation Reports
Indian rescue count
Earlier Situation Reports
An August 29 report said 88 Indian nationals had been rescued.
Later Situation Reports
Later updates reported 108 rescued and then 149 rescued by August 30.
Indians still missing
Earlier Situation Reports
The Ministry of External Affairs reported 287 Indians missing on August 29, along with 128 people of Indian origin who were uncontactable.
Later Situation Reports
A later update reported 275 Indian nationals missing, while the figure of 128 uncontactable people of Indian origin remained.
Reported Nepal death toll
Earlier Situation Reports
Nepalese authorities were reported to have put the death toll at 675 on August 29.
Later Situation Reports
Nepal Police later reported 794 recovered bodies by the evening of August 30.
Indians crossing from China
Earlier Situation Reports
One report said 120 Indian nationals had crossed safely from the Chinese side into Nepal; another said 149 had done so.
Later Situation Reports
A separate update said 598 Indian nationals had safely crossed from China and around 900 more were waiting to depart, showing differing reported counts.
- Indian nationals rescued
- Reports listed 88 on August 29, 108 later on August 29, and 149 by 5:30 p.m. on August 30.
- Indian nationals missing
- The reports gave differing figures of 287 and 275.
- Nepal death toll
- The reported toll rose from 675 to 794 as more bodies were recovered.
- Indian relief supplies
- India reported airlifting 68.5 tonnes of supplies to Kathmandu, including medicines, food, generators and water-purification tablets.
- Indian assistance
- India deployed forensic experts, doctors and paramedics, a tunnel technical contingent and additional tunnel-rescue support.
- Bridge support
- Sixteen trucks carrying equipment for a 230-foot single-lane modular steel bridge reached Nepal; equipment for seven more Bailey bridges was planned.
- Nepal rescue deployment
- Nearly 20,000 security personnel were deployed, with ground teams conducting 8,730 rescues and helicopters evacuating 3,081 people.
- Hydropower tunnel operations
- Authorities were conducting rescue operations at five projects, including Upper Trishuli, where around 350 people were believed possibly trapped.
