A major rescue operation has brought around 100 Maharashtra pilgrims safely back to India after they were stranded amid devastating flash floods in Nepal. Following a request from the Maharashtra government, the Bihar administration coordinated their evacuation from the Nepal border to Sitamarhi. The pilgrims were provided food, drinking water and essential assistance before being moved to Patna in the early hours of August 29.

The Nepal flood crisis has triggered a major Indian rescue and humanitarian response, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying around 320 Indian nationals are currently reported missing. The MEA also said nearly 100 people of Indian origin remain uncontactable, while authorities continue working to establish the number of Indian nationals among those killed. In a major development, India is preparing to send a specialised tunnel rescue team to flood-hit Nepal. A reconnaissance team is being flown in first to assess the situation before the rescue specialists are deployed. A medical team is also being sent to support emergency relief operations.