Nepal floods: 320 Indians still missing, says MEA

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New Delhi, August 28

Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that 320 Indian nationals remain out of contact following devastating floods in Nepal, while around 400 Indians on the Chinese side were reported safe, as rescue and relief operations continued across the affected region. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal provided the update while briefing reporters in New Delhi.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said he had spoken with Nepal’s Foreign Minister on Friday morning and that India had offered a range of assistance to support relief efforts. “I spoke in the morning to the Nepal Foreign Minister. We have given them a range of support offers, they are evaluating it,” Jaishankar said.

He said discussions had also focused on the rescue and relief operations underway in Nepal. Indian embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing had provided updated information about the status and well-being of Indian nationals, while relevant MEA divisions were coordinating additional relief supplies.
“We give highest priority to this issue,” Jaishankar said.

Meanwhile, Nepal-based news outlet The Kathmandu Post reported that the death toll from the disaster had reached 538 by Friday afternoon, citing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The figure could rise as search operations continued and authorities reconciled records from different districts.
Hundreds of people were still reported missing. Authorities are also facing mounting difficulties in recovering, storing and identifying bodies swept away by floods, particularly along the Bhotekoshi river system, according to the news outlet.

Bodies from Rasuwa and Nuwakot have reportedly been recovered far downstream, including in Chitwan, Tanahun and Nawalparasi, placing additional pressure on local authorities.