Express in Nepal: Toll nears 600; MEA says 320 Indians, 100 of Indian origin missing

Express in Nepal: Toll nears 600; MEA notes 320 Indians, 100 of Indian origin missing India sends more aid, medical team, recce crew for tunnel rescue ops.

Key points

• 7 min read Kathmandu, New Delhi Updated: Aug 29, 2026 04: 04 AM IST.
• MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked concerning 400 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Chinese side of the Sino-Nepal border were documented to be safe.
• Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal The lake had formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers.
• At least 1, 924 individuals, including 517 foreign tourists, are noted to be still missing.
• (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal) A third flight carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance has departed for Kathmandu.

Individuals look for names of the survivors at Shree No. 1 Military Training Centre in Nepal's Nuwakot district, Friday. (Tashi Tobgyal photo).

Two days after the deadly flash floods that swept through a number of districts of Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday stated at least 320 Indians – up from 290 on Thursday – and over 100 individuals of Indian origin remained missing.

Meanwhile, the total toll rose to 579 on Friday, with more bodies being recovered as search and rescue operations continued for the third day against the backdrop of fears of fresh floods after an rise in the water level in the Bhotekoshi River area. At least 1, 924 individuals, including 517 foreign tourists, are noted to be still missing.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked concerning 400 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Chinese side of the Sino-Nepal border were documented to be safe. These are pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. He remarked 149 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Chinese side had safely crossed over to Nepal.

Express in Nepal: At search and rescue hub, helicopters, stench of death.

As well as a reconnaissance crew to assess tunnel rescue operations, afterwards in the day, India sent a third tranche of 10 tonnes of relief supplies, alongside an 11-member team of doctors and paramedics.

Today at the army base where a rescue and relief command centre is based, scores of school children were among those who were rescued from the adjoining regions cutaway after the floods. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal) "A third flight carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance has departed for Kathmandu. The assistance includes portable generator sets, dignity kits, food packets and water purification tablets, " External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar remarked in a post on X.

"An 11-member team of doctors, paramedics & recce team for tunnel rescue operations is additionally on-board. India continues to backing Nepal's ongoing relief and rescue efforts, " he stated.

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Earlier in the day, the MEA spokesperson remarked: "You are aware of the humanitarian assistance rendered by India so far to Nepal after the recent tragedy. More assistance is in the pipeline. Two aircraft with relief material have left, and a third tranche of relief material is projected to leave this evening".

Meanwhile, the river front and the adjoining areas were cordoned off and residents were created to climb up to higher grounds. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal) "As requested by Nepal, we are preparing to send a tunnel rescue team, for which a recce team is being flown in first to assess the equipment required etc. A medical team is additionally being sent. Furthermore, we have additionally offered Bailey bridges along with their associated technical teams so that connectivity can be restored swiftly in the affected parts of Nepal. One Bailey bridge is already in Nepal and can be deployed for relief efforts, " he remarked.

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"We have additionally produced a specific offer to Nepal authorities to dispatch NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams along with their associated equipment that can support in ongoing search and rescue operations and bring relief assistance to residents impacted by the tragedy. We await a response from the Administration of Nepal on this front, " he stated. "We stand ready to offer any other assistance that the Nepal authorities might require, " Jaiswal remarked.

After reports of a second lake break in the higher regions, security personnel send out loud warnings on an impending second flood. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal) He remarked the administration was arranging for the return of those who have been rescued so far.

On Friday, 21 individuals from Tamil Nadu. This person were among those rescued, arrived in New Delhi in the afternoon, and were received by Jaishankar. "Received a group of 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who were rescued from the floods in Nepal. Was moved to hear their experience first hand. Thank the @NepalArmyHQ and Administration for this rescue effort. Appreciate @IndiaInNepal's facilitation of their smooth return to India, " Jaishankar remarked in a post on X.

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

According to Nepal authorities, 171 foreigners, including 85 Indians, 16 Chinese, nine South Koreans and two each from the US and Italy, had been rescued from various flood-affected regions until Friday afternoon.

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) remarked rising water levels at the site of the flood climbed the risk of another flood in the area. "The water level mixed with mud has increased at the same place where the flash flood occurred on Wednesday, and there is a risk of more flooding in the area, " the NDRRMA remarked.

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On Thursday, Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had additionally cautioned of a fresh flood risk downstream of the Bhotekoshi River after the formation of the new barrier lake near the border. Chinese authorities had informed Nepal that around 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake, with another 3 million cubic metres potentially entering it over three days, raising reservations concerning a feasible breach.

Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal The lake had formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers. It originate in Tibet and flow into Nepal as part of the Bhotekoshi river system.

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Nevertheless, on Friday, Nepal and China resumed rescue operations that had been suspended briefly after risks from the overflowing lake were identified to be manageable.

Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal Almost 1, 500 residents were airlifted in Nepal, including regarding 360 from hydel projects in Rasuwa – the border district which was worst hit.

"We had been warned about the water gushing down southward towards Nepal (Rasuwa) but we chose to carry on our rescue and relief mission as we thought the widened river beds could hold additional water flow without causing damage to life and property, " a senior Nepal Army officer informed The Indian Express.

In short, express in Nepal: Toll nears 600; MEA says 320 Indians, 100 of is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.