At least 384 travellers, including 105 Indian nationals, have been reported missing after a sudden flash flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday, August 26. According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the preliminary list includes 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens.
The missing foreign nationals also include 17 Malaysians, 12 people from the UK, four from South Africa, three from the US, one Australian and one Dutch national, while the nationalities of several others are yet to be confirmed. Authorities, tourism agencies, guides and security forces are working to verify the whereabouts of those listed and continue search and rescue operations in the affected region. At least eight bodies have been recovered from Nuwakot and Dhading, while 26 Nepal Police personnel and members of the Armed Police Force are also reported missing.
Hundreds Await Rescue
The NTB said the preliminary list was compiled from information supplied by 10 travel and tourism agencies and is being cross-checked with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies. India accounts for the largest number of foreign nationals on the list, with 105 Indians reported missing, while another 37 people have been identified as non-resident Indians.
The other reported foreign nationals include 17 from Malaysia, 12 from the UK, four from South Africa, three from the US, one from Australia and one from the Netherlands. The board has stressed that the list is preliminary and that families and travellers should not draw conclusions until verification is complete. Those in affected areas have been urged to remain calm, follow official instructions and seek assistance through authorities or their travel operators.
The scale of the disaster has also put rescuers and local communities at considerable risk. Nepal Central Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Abi Narayan Kafle said 26 police personnel stationed in Timure, Syafrubesi, Simle and Mailung had gone out of contact. The Armed Police Force has also reported missing personnel. Meanwhile, eight bodies had been recovered from different locations in Nuwakot and Dhading as search operations continued. The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster-response personnel, but damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure have made access to several affected areas difficult.
For assistance and information related to Indian nationals that have been affected by the flash floods in Nepal today, the following emergency numbers may be contacted:
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) August 26, 2026
+977 985 131 6807
+977 970 910 7500
(Both emergency numbers can also be contacted through WhatsApp)…
India Offers Assistance
Following the disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal PM Balendra Shah and expressed condolences over the loss of lives. Modi said India stands in solidarity with Nepal and is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance, with Indian teams coordinating rescue and relief efforts.
India has also issued emergency contact numbers for its nationals affected by the flash floods. Indians seeking assistance or information can contact the Indian Embassy’s emergency helplines at +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500. Authorities continue to verify the whereabouts and safety of Indian nationals affected by the flooding.
The flash flood hit the Bhote Koshi River corridor in Rasuwa, near Nepal’s border with Tibet, causing extensive damage to roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure. The affected region is an important route for travellers and has seen a large number of people moving through the area. The disaster has also raised concerns for communities located downstream as floodwaters move through connected river systems.
Flood Strikes Border Region
The flash flood swept through the Bhote Koshi River corridor in Rasuwa, near Nepal’s border with Tibet, on Wednesday morning, damaging settlements, roads, bridges and power infrastructure. Reports indicate that the floodwater entered Nepal from the Tibetan side, with authorities investigating the exact cause as the situation develops. Some reports have pointed to an avalanche or glacier-related event as a possible trigger, although the precise cause remains under assessment.
The disaster has also prompted warnings for downstream areas as floodwaters move through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems. In India, authorities in Bihar have advised people living near the Gandak River and in low-lying areas to remain alert, avoid unnecessary proximity to the river and rely only on official information.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
For families waiting for news of loved ones, every hour without verified information can be deeply distressing. In such moments, the priority must remain saving lives, establishing accurate information and ensuring that rescue teams can reach those in danger. The fact that people from several countries, alongside Nepali residents and emergency personnel, are caught up in the disaster also underlines how natural disasters can cross borders and affect communities without distinction.
Nepal and neighbouring countries must strengthen early-warning systems, emergency communication and regional coordination, particularly in vulnerable Himalayan areas where sudden floods can leave little time to respond. As rescue efforts continue, how can countries in the region work together better to protect both local communities and travellers from such sudden disasters?
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The moment disaster struck. Video from Immigration office at Nepal border just before 11 am today shows the flash flood.
— Padmaja Joshi (@PadmajaJoshi) August 26, 2026
PM Modi has spoken to his Nepal counterpart and extended humanitarian and relief assistance.
So far 384 travellers, including 105 Indians reported missing pic.twitter.com/Q1jecm9NpI
Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 26, 2026
India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian…
