403 Indian nationals cross into Nepal from China; forensics team from India begins work on DNA samples

403 Indian nationals cross into Nepal from China; forensics team from India begins work on DNA samples On Sunday, the MEA on its X handle shared a list of 149 individuals who were rescued.

Key points

• While almost 9, 500 individuals were rescued, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), more than 2, 500 individuals still remain missing.
• 4 min read New Delhi Aug 31, 2026 05: 20 AM IST.
• As plenty of as 2, 502 residents, including 591 foreigners, remain missing in Nepal after the disaster, according to authorities.
• "The fourth flight, carrying 11 tons of relief materials, has arrived in Nepal, and those relief materials have been handed over, " the Indian mission remarked.
• The trail of devastation left behind in the riverside town of Betrawati in Nepal on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the trail of devastation left behind in the riverside town of Betrawati in Nepal on Sunday. Betrawati is additionally on the main route employed by pilgrims travelling to Gosaikunda, a pilgrimage site in Rasuwa. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal).

AS MANY as 403 Indian nationals safely crossed into Nepal from China on Sunday and 500 Indians are still in China and safe, the Ministry of External Affairs remarked on Sunday.

Nevertheless, the ministry did not provide any update on the missing Indians. As search and rescue operations continued in Nepal for the fourth day, the ministry had remarked 275 Indian nationals and another 128 residents of Indian origin – mostly Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims – remained missing, on Saturday.

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"This team will support augment the analysis of DNA samples in Nepal for identification of the mortal remains of the victims. Ambassador of India to Nepal met and briefed the forensics team. Subsequently, the team had discussions with counterparts in Nepal Police's Central Forensic Science Lab Laboratory in Kathmandu and the Forensics Department of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, " it remarked.

Regarding the Indian tunnel rescue team, the MEA stated, "Tunnel Rescue Operations Team continued its work today and supplemented the research and rescue efforts of Nepali Army at hydropower sites in Chilime and Langtang."

"The team was able to enter a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project and retrieve the mortal remains of one person in spite of inclement weather. This team is continuing its backing operations near the Langtang hydroelectric project, " it stated.

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As authorities cautioned of climbed water levels in the Bhotekoshi river and pressed residents and rescue personnel in flood-hit districts to remain alert, the death toll from flash floods in Nepal rose to 788 on Sunday, with bodies continuing to be recovered.

'Just finished the trek': Woman's message to family before she went missing in Nepal floods.

In an official note issued on Sunday, the NDRRMA cautioned that water levels in the Bhotekoshi river had risen again. "The water level in the flooded Bhotekoshi river has risen to some extent; all concerned are urged to take precautionary measures, " it remarked, adding that it will provide updates on the situation after receiving further information.

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Almost 9, 500 residents were rescued from flood-affected areas until Sunday evening. It includes locals and tourists from multiple countries, including India, the US, China and Russia among others, authorities remarked.

India has provided 68.5 tonnes of relief materials and sent technical teams, forensic experts and equipment to assist in search and rescue operations, according to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.

"The fourth flight, carrying 11 tons of relief materials, has arrived in Nepal, and those relief materials have been handed over, " the Indian mission remarked. "This includes a tunnel technical team equipped for search and rescue operations, a team of forensic experts for DNA analysis, and relief materials such as blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits." (With agencies from Nepal).

For now, 403 Indian nationals cross into Nepal from China; forensics team from India remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.