Over 100 Indians Missing After Massive Flash Flood in Nepal; MEA and Nepal Tourism Sets Up Helplines
At least 105 Indian nationals and 37 Non-Resident Indians are among 384 travelers reported unaccounted for after a massive flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday morning. The surge, which hit around 8:30 a.m., devastated border settlements along northern Nepal and severed vital transit routes leading toward the Tibet border. Authorities in Kathmandu have launched verification operations in coordination with local travel agencies and security forces to trace the missing groups.
Preliminary reports indicate that the flash flood was triggered after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake caused a high-altitude rock and ice avalanche that briefly dammed the river upstream in Tibet before bursting. The resulting wall of water swept downstream, causing extensive destruction across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. Key border hubs including Timure and Syabrubesi bore the brunt of the torrent, which washed away roads, bridges, power infrastructure, and communication towers.
Data released by the Nepal Tourism Board confirms that out of the 384 missing persons recorded across nine travel operators, 291 are foreign nationals and 93 are Nepali support staff and guides. A significant portion of the affected Indian travelers were pilgrims bound for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. Tour agencies including Samrat Tours & Travels and Leaf Holiday reported 59 and 46 missing Indian clients respectively, while Himalayan Glacier recorded 37 unaccounted NRI clients.
Rescue teams from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and local administrative bodies have deployed helicopters and sniffer dogs to access the isolated mountain corridors. However, rescue efforts face severe challenges due to high water levels, persistent landslide risks, and complete loss of cellular connectivity in the upper reaches of the valley. Air drop operations and ground rescue units are concentrating focus on severed segments of the highway near Syabrubesi.
🚨 CRITICAL UPDATE: Devastating Flash Floods along Nepal–Tibet Border
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) August 26, 2026
A massive, sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River has caused catastrophic damage across Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts.
The flood, suspected to have originated from a high-altitude Glacial… pic.twitter.com/eK8hyafY8i
The downstream impact has prompted emergency measures along the border in India. Because the Bhote Koshi flows into the Trishuli River and eventually enters Indian territory as the Gandak, officials at the Gandak Barrage in Valmikinagar, Bihar, opened all 36 sluice gates to relieve water volume. District administrations in northern Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have issued high flood alerts for low-lying riparian settlements.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has established dedicated emergency helpline numbers (+977 9851316807 and +977 9709107500) to assist concerned families seeking information on missing relatives. Embassy officials said they remain in continuous coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board, local security agencies, and tour operators to verify ground data as search teams reach previously cut-off locations.
