27 August,2026 10:00 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/AFP
More than 130 Indian nationals, including dozens of pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, were reported missing in Nepal after flash floods swept through parts of the country's central region, causing widespread destruction and cutting off communication with several affected areas.
Scores of other Indians were stranded as rescue and contact efforts continued. Information about those affected remained limited due to the severe disruption of communication networks in flood-hit areas.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and several state governments, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Chhattisgarh, have set up helplines for affected Indians and their families.
The whereabouts of 37 of the 57 tourists from Tamil Nadu remained unknown, while 20 others had been accounted for, state officials said. The tourists were reportedly travelling to a temple in the Himalayas.
The Isha Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Coimbatore, said 77 of its members who were at an immigration centre were missing, reported PTI.
"There has been no official information on the whereabouts of any of the people who were at the immigration office," said its founder Sadhguru, adding that 495 people have returned safely.
The Nepal government later said the entire staff of the immigration centre in question was out of contact.
A 32-member group from Kolkata undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was among those reported missing or untraceable following the flash floods, an official said.
The group comprised 30 tourists and two tour managers. They left Kolkata on August 21 and reached Nepal the following day. On Wednesday morning, they reached Rasuwagadhi near the Nepal-Tibet border to cross into Tibet.
The group was at the immigration office at around 8.30 am when the flash flood struck the area.
"There has been no communication with any of the 32 members since the flash flood struck the area," the official told PTI.
Residents of Chandannagar in Hooghly district and Barasat in North 24 Parganas are also believed to be among those stranded or missing in Nepal.
The West Bengal government has opened helplines at the state police headquarters in Kolkata. Families seeking assistance can contact 033-24793311 or 9147890181.
According to Samrat Tours and Travel agency, at least 59 of the missing Indians were pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Several people from Uttar Pradesh were also believed to be stranded. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, who had travelled to Nepal by road with his associates, was stuck in Pokhara.
"We will reach Kathmandu tomorrow by flight and from there by flight to Delhi because of this situation and leave behind our vehicles as it won't be possible to travel by road," the Bharatiya Kisan Union leader said in a video message.
The Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner's Office has asked relatives of affected residents to contact the state helpline 1070.
Seven tourists from Maharashtra were reported stranded in Nepal. Authorities had established contact with four of them, including two each from Mumbai and Pune, while efforts were underway to reach the remaining three.
The Maharashtra government has set up a 24-hour control room at Mantralaya. It can be reached through the toll-free helpline 1070 or +91-9321587143. Assistance is also available through controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in.
Meanwhile, a group of 36 people from Kerala touring Nepal was reported safe and away from the flood-hit areas. The state has opened a helpdesk through NORKA-Roots, with assistance available at 18004253939 or +91-8802012345. Families unable to contact people travelling in Nepal can also inform the Chief Minister's Office at 9447111844 or 9747132147.
Sikkim, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh have also issued emergency helpline numbers for residents with relatives stranded or affected in Nepal.
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority said people could contact 03592-201145, 03592-202461 and 03592-202256. Odisha has set up a control room in New Delhi, with helpline numbers +91-7428135044, +91-8527580245 and 011-23012807.
The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority has asked residents to contact 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2664314, 2664315, 2664316, 8218867005 or the toll-free number 1070.
Chhattisgarh residents can contact 1070 or +91-771-2223471 for assistance.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has also issued emergency numbers for Indian nationals affected by the floods. People seeking information or assistance can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500 as authorities continue efforts to establish contact with those missing and stranded in the flood-hit areas.
(With inputs from PTI)
