Nepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued, 200 Seeking Help in Tibet, Says MEA

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday provided an update on the situation of Indian nationals affected by the devastating floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, saying 288 Indians remain uncontactable, while 21 Indian nationals have been rescued.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the 288 Indians who remain out of contact include people working on the Trishuli One Power Project as well as several groups of Indian tourists and pilgrims travelling through flood-affected areas of Nepal.

According to the MEA, 73 Indians working at the Trishuli One Power Project are among those whose whereabouts are currently unknown. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is in contact with the project authorities to gather more information and assist in locating the workers.

Several groups of Indian travellers who had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are also among those who remain uncontactable. The affected groups include people from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and other parts of the country.

21 Indians rescued

The MEA said 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu have been rescued following the floods. They had travelled to the region for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Arrangements are being made for their safe return to India, according to the ministry.

The rescue comes as authorities in Nepal and the surrounding Himalayan region continue search and relief operations following widespread flooding and landslides.

200 Indians seek assistance in Tibet

The MEA also said that around 200 Indian nationals on the Chinese side of the border in Tibet have sought assistance from India.

These Indians are believed to include pilgrims who travelled towards Tibet for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The Indian Embassy in Beijing is working with local authorities to facilitate their safe evacuation.

Officials said around 95 Indians are currently in Darchen and are making their way towards Nepal. Others are located in places including Jilong City and Zutulphuk, while some are travelling towards other locations.

Major relief operation underway

India has also stepped up humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the disaster. The MEA said two Indian aircraft carrying relief supplies have been sent to Kathmandu.

The assistance includes essential medical and food supplies, while India has indicated that it is prepared to provide further support depending on Nepal's requirements.

The floods have caused extensive destruction across parts of Nepal and Tibet, with roads, bridges and other infrastructure severely damaged. The difficult Himalayan terrain and continuing risks have complicated rescue operations.

The disaster has also affected foreign tourists and pilgrims travelling through the region. Reports indicate that hundreds of people remain unaccounted for across Nepal and Tibet, making the ongoing search operation particularly challenging.

Families await information

For families in India, the biggest concern remains establishing contact with relatives who travelled to the affected region. The MEA and Indian missions are coordinating with local authorities to collect information and assist those stranded.

The situation remains fluid, with communication networks and transportation routes disrupted in several areas. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate missing Indians and ensure that those who are safe can return home.

The latest MEA update provides some relief with the confirmation that 21 Indians have been rescued, but the large number of people still uncontactable underscores the scale of the disaster.

India has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nepal during the crisis while continuing efforts to locate and evacuate Indian nationals affected by the floods.