The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said 149 Indian nationals affected by the devastating floods in Nepal have safely crossed from China into Nepal. The ministry also released the names of all 149 Indians who made the crossing on August 28, 2026, as India continues efforts to rescue and assist citizens caught in the disaster.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the update and the list of Indian nationals who safely crossed the border. The development comes amid a major rescue operation following catastrophic flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border.
53 Indians Reach Kathmandu
Among the 149 Indians who crossed from China into Nepal, a group of 53 Indian nationals reached Kathmandu on Friday afternoon. The group includes 37 people from Maharashtra, according to the MEA.
Many of the Indians affected by the disaster were travelling as part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The floods damaged roads, bridges and border infrastructure, leaving several pilgrims stranded on both sides of the Nepal-China border.
The safe crossing provides a significant relief to families waiting for information about their relatives.
320 Indians Still Uncontactable
Despite the latest positive development, the situation remains serious. The MEA said approximately 320 Indian nationals remain missing or uncontactable in the flood-affected region. The ministry has stressed that the figure remains dynamic as authorities continue to receive new information and verify the status of those affected.
Another 400 Indian nationals on the Chinese side of the border have been confirmed safe and remain in contact with their families. Authorities are working with Chinese officials to facilitate their evacuation.
Earlier, 21 Indian nationals rescued from Nepal reached Delhi, while another 63 Indians working at the Trishuli hydropower project were rescued.
India Sends Humanitarian Aid to Nepal
Alongside efforts to rescue Indian citizens, India has continued sending humanitarian assistance to flood-hit Nepal. A third consignment of relief material was dispatched on Friday, taking India's total aid sent to Nepal to 57.5 tonnes, according to reports.
The floods have caused widespread destruction across the Himalayan region. Rescue operations have been complicated by damaged infrastructure, disrupted communications and difficult mountainous terrain.
The disaster has also caused a significant loss of life. Reuters reported that the death toll in Nepal and Tibet had reached hundreds, with thousands still missing as rescue operations continued.
For India, the immediate priority remains locating missing nationals, helping stranded citizens cross into safer areas and bringing those already rescued home.
