175 dead in monster Nepal flash floods, Foreign Minister says 300 Indians missing

Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said on Thursday that nearly 300 Indians are among hundreds of people missing a day after devastating flash floods sent torrents of mud, rocks and water across Nepal and neighbouring Tibet, killing 175 people so far.Khanal said authorities were still trying to ascertain the full extent of the disaster, with nearly 1,500 people, including at least 800 foreigners, reported missing across Nepal and Tibet. Nepal embassy sources, citing news agency, said 175 people had been killed in the disaster so far."Thousands of families have lost homes and are missing as of now. We are still trying to ascertain the full extent of the disaster," Khanal said.FOLLOW LIVE BLOG UPDATES OF NEPAL FLASH FLOODS The flash floods struck Nepal and parts of Tibet after a possible avalanche near a Himalayan river sent catastrophic flash floods downstream. Gyirong Port, a land border crossing and trade post between Tibet and Nepal, was among the first towns to be hit before the swelling waters flowed further down to wreak havoc.The flash floods gobbled up settlements and disrupted travel, while roads, bridges and hydropower projects across Nepal suffered extensive damage. FLASH FLOODS IN NEPAL, TIBETThe flash floods struck three districts of Nepal – Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot – on Wednesday after an avalanche blocked the flow of the Lhende tributary of the river Bhote Koshi. The torrent first hit Timure near Rasuwagadhi, along Nepal’s border with Tibet, before wreaking havoc downstream.Nepal Police said the death toll could increase further as rescue teams resumed searches and more bodies were recovered. “This will go up, as we have resumed the search and more bodies are expected to be recovered,” Nepal Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle told Reuters. (Photo: PTI) In Tibet’s Gyirong county, 558 people were reported missing, including 260 foreign nationals, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. At least three people were killed and 265 remained missing after a mudslide struck Gyirong Port on the Nepal border, Chinese officials told Reuters.The disaster swept through a rugged Himalayan region popular with trekkers and pilgrims travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Several videos on social media showed massive torrents of water and debris sweeping through the border area, while homes, roads and power projects were washed away or damaged downstream.Early reports from Nepali officials suggested that an earthquake in the region may have triggered the collapse of the lower part of a glacier, causing the floods.Earlier, Nepali officials had reported 133 Indians and 37 NRIs missing, including pilgrims travelling on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a major pilgrimage route for Hindus. (Photo: PTI) Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division said there was no credible information indicating another major flood was about to hit Rasuwa or Nuwakot, though river levels could rise slightly due to rainfall.Bihar, which shares a border with Nepal, was on high alert as authorities continue to monitor water levels and the flood situation. This morning, the situation partially stabilised as Valmikinagar Barrage recorded a discharge of 88,000 cusecs, down from 1.5 lakh cusecs at midnight.INDIA STEPS UP RELIEF EFFORTIndia has stepped up humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the disaster.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that a second flight carrying 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief material, medicines and food packets had departed for Nepal.India had sent its first military relief flight on Wednesday night, with an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of emergency supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and essential medicines.On Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued emergency numbers for assistance and information related to Indian nationals affected by the flash floods. In a post on X, it said people can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.The Embassy of India has remained engaged with the relevant authorities of the Government of Nepal for early rescue and relief for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that took place in Nepal, it said in another post on X, adding that rescue and relief efforts continue to be strengthened in coordination with the Nepal government.The Nepal Tourism Board also issued similar numbers, including the toll-free emergency number 1234, the hotline 1144, and the Tourist Police number 9851289445 for help.In Beijing, the Embassy of India also issued a helpline number, 0086 185 1428 4905, which can be contacted via WhatsApp.NEPAL PM VISITS FLOOD-HIT NUWAKOTNepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah travelled by road to flood-hit Nuwakot on Thursday morning for an on-site assessment of the damage.The Nepal Prime Minister's Office said Shah would inspect affected and surrounding areas and meet local administrators, security officials and public representatives to discuss immediate relief, restoration and the reopening of blocked infrastructure. (Photo: Reuters) Rescue and relief operations continued across the affected areas as authorities assessed the scale of destruction and searched for those still missing. (Photo: Reuters) In the worst-hit districts, helicopters are dropping tents, food and other emergency supplies provided by India, Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said.More than 5,000 army and police personnel have joined rescue operations, which retrieved 125 people on Thursday, including 20 foreigners, Basnet said.- Ends(with inputs from Reuters, PTI, ANI)Published On: Aug 27, 2026 10:59 IST