New Delhi: As Nepal continues to grapple with the aftermath of devastating flash floods, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that 275 Indian nationals remain missing in the disaster-struck neighbouring country. However, providing a sigh of relief, Indian authorities, coordinating with local emergency teams, have successfully rescued 166 Indians from the affected zones.
Addressing a regular media briefing on Friday, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. “According to our information, 275 Indian nationals are still missing. We are in continuous and close contact with the Government of Nepal and highly appreciate the relentless efforts made by the Nepalese authorities in this regard. So far, 166 Indian citizens have been safely rescued,” Jaiswal stated.
In a positive development regarding stranded travellers, the MEA confirmed that 1,907 Indian citizens have safely reached Nepal from China. The ministry clarified that no Indian travellers are currently stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The catastrophe, triggered by sudden flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, has wreaked havoc across the Himalayan nation. According to Nepalese officials, the overall death toll has tragically surged to 1,295 as rescue workers continue to recover bodies from the debris. Emergency response teams have managed to pull over 12,000 individuals to safety, while an estimated 5,000 people in total, including locals and foreign nationals, remain unaccounted for.
Standing firmly with its neighbour during this humanitarian crisis, India has launched an extensive relief operation. New Delhi has already dispatched approximately 95 tonnes of essential relief materials to Nepal through seven dedicated flights.
“In addition to the relief supplies, we have deployed 54 personnel to assist in the rescue operations in Nepal. This includes 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic specialists, and a five-member medical team who are currently working on the ground in coordination with Nepalese authorities,” Jaiswal elaborated.
Looking ahead, the MEA spokesperson assured that India will continue to extend all necessary assistance based on the evolving requirements of the Nepalese government. He noted that New Delhi is currently making plans to supply additional forensic kits, bailey bridges, and other critical infrastructure materials to aid in the recovery efforts.