275 Indians still missing in Nepal, toll climbs to 675

275 Indians still missing in Nepal, toll climbs to 675 MEA: 108 Indians rescued so far, 598 who were stranded on China side cross into Nepal, another 900 safe there.

Key points

• 5 min read New Delhi Updated: Aug 30, 2026 01: 55 AM IST.
• On Friday, the MEA had remarked at least 320 Indians and over 100 residents of Indian origin were missing.
• According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, 108 Indian nationals had been rescued so far.
• Additionally, 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230-feet single lane modular steel bridge have reached Nepal.
• According to a statement by the Nepal Police, 675 bodies have been recovered so far, from throughout the eight districts that were affected.

At the Trishuli army base in Navakot District of Nepal, a rescue and relief command centre has been set up. Scores of school children were among those who were rescued from the adjoining regions cutaway after the floods, on Friday. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal).

As search and rescue operations continued in Nepal for the fourth day on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) remarked 275 Indian nationals and another 128 residents of Indian origin – mostly Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims – remained missing. On Friday, the MEA had remarked at least 320 Indians and over 100 residents of Indian origin were missing.

In practice, the total death toll climbed to 675, with more bodies being recovered even as almost 2, 400 residents were documented to be still missing after the devastating flash floods that wiped out parts of a number of districts in Nepal on Wednesday morning.

According to a statement by the Nepal Police, 675 bodies have been recovered so far, from throughout the eight districts that were affected. Over 4, 400 individuals have been evacuated so far as rescue teams led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) raced against time against the backdrop of on-and-off rainfall in the flood-affected regions.

According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, 108 Indian nationals had been rescued so far. These included four who were rescued from a hydropower project in Rasuwa, Nepal's border district which was among those worst hit. He remarked 598 Indian nationals. This person were stranded on the Chinese side of the Sino-Nepal border, had additionally crossed into Nepal. Another 900 Indians are safe and are yet to depart China, the MEA remarked, adding that the Indian Embassy in Beijing was in touch with them, either directly or through the local administration.

India on Saturday sent more relief material as well as specialised teams. In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar remarked: "The 4th flight from India with 11 tonne assistance is now airborne. The C-130 aircraft is carrying: a tunnel technical contingent along with equipment for search & rescue operations, a team of forensics experts for DNA analysis along with forensic equipment, relief supplies, including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulin, plastic sheets & hygiene kits."

"Additionally, 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230-feet single lane modular steel bridge have reached Nepal. Equipment for installation of seven more Bailey bridges will be supplied shortly. Technical teams for their installation are projected to reach shortly, " stated Jaishankar. This person spoke to Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal on Friday.

"So far, a total of 68.5 tonnes of relief material comprising essential medicines, portable generator sets, food packets, water purification tablets and technical equipment have been airlifted to Kathmandu. Our backing to the relief & rescue efforts continues, " he stated.

Earlier in the day, the MEA remarked a five-member specialised technical team from the Indian Army carried out on-site reconnaissance of hydropower tunnels in the flood-hit areas. It would assist in facilitating early search and rescue operations. The team reached Kathmandu late on Friday, and began work on Saturday. Based on their recommendation, a specialised tunnel rescue team from India with equipment was projected to land in Nepal afterwards on Saturday night, it noted.

For context, the recce team, sent at the request of the Nepal administration, reached the Trishuli area after conducting an aerial reconnaissance of the Chilime and Langtang areas and began assessing the situation for rescue operations, according to Nepalese authorities.

In practice, the team met Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava. This person remarked that they "conducted a recce of tunnels in Chilime and Langtang power plants area with Nepali Army".

Meanwhile, a joint team comprising the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel has been working since Friday night to clear debris and reach individuals believed to be trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli-3A hydropower project in Rasuwa. Rescue efforts have been complicated by mud and debris blocking the tunnel entrance and adverse weather conditions.

According to the Nepal Army, security forces have so far rescued 191 workers from tunnels at various hydropower projects. Nevertheless, numerous workers still remain unaccounted for. More than 100 individuals are believed to be trapped inside a tunnel at the under-construction Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project in Rasuwa.

Nepal has sought foreign expertise for DNA testing, forensic work and other specialised tasks as local authorities struggle to identify bodies. It has additionally sought the assist of India and China for construction of 42 Bailey bridges to resume transport services in the flood-hit areas. The portable bridges are designed for fast assembly without heavy machinery or special tools. India had sent one Bailey bridge earlier.

"The Administration of India has remained engaged with relevant authorities in Administration of Nepal to provide assistance as needed. Administration of India has offered the National Disaster Response Force to backing Nepal's search and rescue efforts and additionally mobilised immediate humanitarian assistance with Indian Air Force aircraft carrying emergency relief material to Nepal, " the MEA remarked. With agency inputs from Nepal.

For now, 275 Indians still missing in Nepal, toll climbs to 675 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.