27 August,2026 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rescuers use an excavator to transport victims and survivors along the streets submerged by mud following flash floods and a landslide disaster in Devghat in Nepal`s Nuwakot district on Wednesday. PIC/AFP
At least 178 Indian nationals are missing after devastating flash floods swept through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river regions across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha districts in Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction and disrupting travel corridors, Nepal's National Tourism Board stated.
The disaster unfolded around 8.30 am on Wednesday, damaging settlements along riverbanks and affecting several areas near the Nepal-China border.
According to data released by the board, 644 travellers, including 127 Nepali citizens and hundreds of foreign tourists, remain unaccounted for.
Meanwhile, 21 Indians have been rescued from flood-hit Timure.
The situation has prompted Indian diplomatic missions in Kathmandu and Beijing to coordinate with Nepalese authorities as search and rescue operations continue for missing and stranded people.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Indian Embassy in Beijing have issued advisories and set up emergency helplines to assist Indian citizens affected by the floods and those stranded near the Tibet border.
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu can be contacted at +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500, and +977 981 032 6117 (WhatsApp available).
The Indian Embassy in Beijing has issued a parallel advisory for Indian citizens stranded near border areas in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Citizens can contact the Embassy at 0086 185 1428 4905 (WhatsApp available).
Other emergency contacts include Nepal's National Emergency Operation Centre at 1234, Nepal Police at 100, and the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal at 1114.
Authorities have advised travellers in affected areas to remain calm, avoid riverbanks and strictly follow instructions issued by local emergency teams.
Meanwhile, Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah travelled to flood-hit Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot district on Thursday morning to inspect the affected areas.
During the visit, the Prime Minister assessed the physical damage and held discussions with local administration officials, security agencies and elected representatives on relief, rehabilitation, and restoration of disrupted infrastructure services.
Amid the ongoing rescue operations, 21 Indian nationals were among 116 people evacuated from Timure, one of the worst-affected areas, early on Thursday, news agency IANS reported.
PM Shah said the Nepali Army carried out the rescue operation and safely evacuated the Indian nationals, along with 95 Nepalese citizens, from the area.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the devastating flooding has reached 180, while more than 800 people remain out of contact, according to Nepali authorities.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said 826 people remained out of contact as of 11 am on Thursday. Of these, 579 were tourists, although the authority did not clarify whether they were foreign tourists, domestic tourists or both.
The figures underline the scale of the disaster, with rescue teams continuing to search affected areas along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems.
The massive flood, originating in the Tibetan region of China, swept through the transboundary Bhotekoshi River before causing widespread destruction in Nepal.
Bodies have been recovered from riverbanks in several downstream districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahun, Nawalparasi East, and Nawalparasi West.
Most of the bodies were recovered in Chitwan, in Nepal's southern plains.
The flooding also affected human settlements, hydropower projects, customs offices, and electricity infrastructure, according to the Nepali government.
The disaster has left several people stranded and disrupted movement through affected areas.
Rescue operations continue
Search and rescue operations led by the Nepal Army, APF, and local law enforcement remain underway to locate missing people and evacuate affected travellers.
As of Thursday morning, 48 Nepali Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel, 13 APF personnel, and 162 other people from Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts were also reported to be out of contact.
(With ANI and IANS inputs)
