Nepal floods: Over 275 Indians missing, 108 rescued; 900 still in China but safe, says MEA

Over 275 Indian nationals remained missing or non-contactable while 108 others were rescued following the devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday, August 29.

It said 128 persons of Indian origin also remained missing or non-contactable.

The MEA said 598 Indian nationals had safely crossed into Nepal from China in the previous two days, while around 900 Indians were still on the Chinese side but were "safe and contactable".

In its

statement, the MEA shared details of Indian nationals who had been rescued and those who remained uncontactable.

"Till date, 108 Indian nationals have been rescued in Nepal, and contact was re-established with around 50 Indian nationals who were earlier uncontactable," the MEA said.

"Furthermore, 598 Indian nationals have safely crossed into Nepal from China in the last two days, as per local government sources in China," it said.

"Around 900 Indian nationals are still on the Chinese side but are safe and contactable. Unfortunately, more than 275 Indian nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin remain missing or non-contactable," it added.

Four Indian nationals — Ripu Kumar, Chaneshwar Narzary, Kripa Shankar and Mohammed Minhajuddin — were rescued from a hydropower project in Rasuwa, it said. They were expected to reach Kathmandu soon.

Rasuwa was among the areas severely impacted by the floods.

The death toll from Wednesday's flash floods in Nepal rose to 675, with more bodies recovered as search and rescue operations continued, according to Nepalese authorities. Reuters on Sunday reported that 2,498 people were still missing, with 7,514 rescued.

"As many Indian nationals were among those impacted by the flash floods on both the Nepal side and the China side, the government of India has been working in close coordination with the Nepali and Chinese authorities for the early rescue and relief efforts of those affected by the floods," the MEA said.

It said a round-the-clock Control Room had been established in the Ministry of External Affairs and separate helplines had been made operational in Indian embassies in Kathmandu, Nepal and Beijing, China.

"Our embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing have also remained engaged with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of search, rescue and relief efforts, in connection with Indian nationals impacted by the flash flood," the MEA said.

"Our Missions have also ensured sustained efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of rescued Indian nationals apart from facilitating their return to India, wherever required, and are monitoring and facilitating the transit of Indian nationals returning from the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra through Nepal," it added.

Assistance to Nepal

India sent a fourth tranche of 11 tonnes of relief material to Nepal late on Saturday aboard a C-130J military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the aircraft also carried a technical contingent with equipment for search and rescue operations, as well as a team of forensic experts for DNA analysis and forensic equipment.

The forensic team will help Nepalese authorities identify mortal remains of those killed in Wednesday's flash floods.

Additionally, 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230-foot 'Single Lane Modular Steel Bridge' have reached Nepal, Jaishankar said on social media.

"Equipment for installation of seven more Bailey bridges will be supplied soon. Technical teams for their installation are expected to reach shortly," he added.

India has so far sent a total of 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Nepal, according to the MEA.

The MEA said a specialised technical team for tunnel reconnaissance and rescue had also been sent to the neighbouring country.

"The team started working to assist in tunnel rescue in the impacted area. Based on their recommendation, a specialised tunnel rescue team from India with equipment is expected to reach Nepal soon," it said.

Update from China

A fresh Reuters report on Sunday, August 30, said Chinese authorities identified 49 Indian nationals among 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries who remained missing on the Tibetan side of the border.

China said 16 people had died in Gyirong County and 546 people remained missing there. The Chinese figure covers only the Tibetan side.