Nepal floods: 158 Indians rescued, India steps up relief and rescue efforts

India has rescued 158 nationals following devastating flash floods in Nepal and stepped up relief and rescue operations in coordination with Nepalese authorities. Indian forensic and tunnel rescue teams are assisting local authorities as thousands remain missing across affected areas.

New Delhi: The number of Indian nationals rescued in the wake of the devastating flash floods in Nepal stands at 158, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday, as India stepped up its relief and rescue efforts in coordination with Nepalese authorities.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the update in a post on X.

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“Update on Indian nationals & India’s rescue and relief efforts in Nepal Number of Indians rescued: 158 As of 2100 hrs, 31 August 2026,” he posted.

Jaiswal also shared an update on the 19-member specialised forensics team from India that began functioning in Kathmandu on Sunday, as well as an Indian tunnel rescue team deployed in Nepal, in a statement shared along with the post.

“The specialised forensic team from India continued its work in Kathmandu today in coordination with counterparts from Nepal Police’s Forensic Science Laboratory. They discussed the optimisation of various protocols and documentation,” it said.

The Indian forensics team is helping augment the analysis of DNA samples for the identification of victims’ mortal remains in Nepal.

“The tunnel rescue operations team from India sustained its efforts in coordination with the Nepali Army at Chilime and Langtang hydropower sites today. Despite inclement weather and difficult access conditions at Chilime, the team was able to establish a foothold at the tunnel. Rescue efforts will continue tomorrow,” the statement said.

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to 939 on Monday, with bodies continuing to be recovered, while around 4,000 people are still missing, authorities said.

More than 10,000 people have been rescued so far, as search teams struggle to reach those still stranded amid intermittent rain, swollen rivers and damaged roads and bridges.

The flash floods, triggered by a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal on August 26.

Rescue teams are trying to trace 639 workers and employees at various hydropower project sites in Nepal’s flood-hit areas, many of whom are believed to be trapped in tunnels, authorities said on Monday.