Archive · 27 Aug 2026
India Offers Nepal Aid as Floods Leave Travellers Missing
A sudden flash flood hit parts of Nepal and Tibet, causing many people to go missing.
Some of the missing travellers were Indians returning from the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal’s leader and promised help.
Indian officials also gave helpline numbers for people seeking information about missing Indians.
Rivers flowing from Nepal into India began rising.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh warned nearby districts to prepare for possible flooding.
India’s disaster-response teams were put on high alert.
Air Force planes were scheduled to take food, medicine and rescue supplies to Nepal.
Officials said heavy monsoon rain could make the situation worse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah of India’s humanitarian assistance after devastating floods.
At least 384 travellers are missing, including 133 Indians and 33 people from Calcutta.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh placed downstream districts on heightened alert as rivers from Nepal rose.
The National Disaster Response Force deployed 20 teams for possible rescue operations in both states.
Indian Air Force aircraft were scheduled to carry medicines, food and rescue equipment to Nepal and affected areas.
- Who
- Nepalese and Indian authorities, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Balendra Shah, are responding; at least 384 travellers are missing.
- What
- A devastating flash flood caused deaths and disappearances, prompting rescue, relief and flood-preparedness measures.
- When
- The response was announced on Wednesday; relief flights were scheduled for Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
- Where
- The flooding affected Nepal and the Gyirong area of Tibet; downstream alerts were issued in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- A sudden rise in river levels, possibly linked to glacial lake outburst flood activity, created a flood wave and threatened downstream areas.
- Missing travellers
- At least 384 travellers are missing.
- Missing Indians
- At least 133 Indians are among those missing.
- Missing people from Calcutta
- At least 33 people from Calcutta are missing.
- NDRF deployment
- The National Disaster Response Force deployed 20 teams for possible rescue operations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
- Indian helplines
- +9779851316807 and +9779709107500 were issued by the Indian embassy.
- Affected Indian states
- Bihar and Uttar Pradesh issued alerts because of rising water levels in rivers flowing from Nepal.
- Planned airlift
- Indian Air Force aircraft were scheduled to carry medicines, food, fabricated sheets, earth-moving equipment and rescue supplies.