India has stepped up rescue, relief and identification efforts in flood-ravaged Nepal, with four more Indian nationals rescued from a hydropower project in Rasuwa on August 29, according to an update issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The latest development brings the number of Indian nationals rescued from the disaster to 88, while 287 Indian nationals remain missing. The MEA said 128 persons of Indian origin are also reported missing as authorities continue a massive search operation across the affected areas.
The devastating floods have caused widespread destruction across northern and central Nepal, particularly around Rasuwa and downstream districts. Rescue teams are facing difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure, heavy debris and disrupted access routes while searching for survivors.
Four Indian Nationals Rescued From Rasuwa Hydropower Project
According to the MEA update issued at 5 pm on August 29, four Indian nationals were rescued from a hydropower project in Rasuwa.
The rescued individuals have been identified as Ripu Kumar, Chaneshwar Narzary, Kripa Shankar and Mohammed Minhajuddin.
The four are expected to reach Kathmandu shortly, where further assistance and coordination will be provided.
Their rescue comes as authorities intensify operations around hydropower projects and other locations where workers and local residents may have been trapped by the sudden flooding.
The hydropower sector has been among the hardest-hit areas, with several workers reportedly becoming stranded after floodwaters and debris swept through mountain valleys.
India Sends Forensic Teams to Help Identify Victims
India is also extending assistance beyond conventional rescue operations. The MEA said six-member forensic expert teams from India are expected to reach Kathmandu to assist Nepalese authorities with DNA analysis and identification of mortal remains.
The deployment is aimed at helping families obtain confirmation about missing relatives as search teams recover bodies from severely affected locations.
With large numbers of people still unaccounted for, identification has become a crucial part of the humanitarian response.
Specialized Tunnel Rescue Team Heads to Nepal
India has also mobilised specialized technical expertise for tunnel rescue operations.
A technical team that arrived in Kathmandu earlier began reconnaissance work on August 29 to assess conditions and determine the safest approach for rescuing people trapped in affected tunnel areas.
Based on the team’s recommendations, a specialized Indian tunnel rescue team equipped with necessary machinery is expected to reach Nepal.
The move highlights the scale and complexity of the disaster, particularly in areas where floodwater, mud and structural damage have made conventional rescue efforts extremely difficult.
120 Indians Enter Nepal From China
The MEA also reported that 120 Indian nationals crossed into Nepal from China on August 29.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the movement and welfare of Indian citizens entering Nepal as rescue and relief operations remain underway.
Indian missions and local authorities are coordinating efforts to provide assistance and track nationals who may have been affected or separated from their groups.
The wider disaster began with a catastrophic flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River region of Rasuwa on August 26 before floodwaters and debris surged downstream into several districts.
The disaster damaged homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure. Communities in mountainous areas were cut off, while rescue operations have been complicated by landslides, blocked roads and challenging geography.
Nepal’s disaster authorities have reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of people unaccounted for. A Kathmandu Post report citing Nepal’s disaster authority said 626 people had died and 2,426 remained unaccounted for in an update on August 29, while thousands had been rescued.
Later reports indicated that the reported death toll continued to rise as authorities recovered more bodies from affected districts.
India Continues Coordinated Relief Mission
The latest MEA figures underline India’s expanding role in the humanitarian response.
As of August 29, India has recorded 88 Indian nationals rescued, while efforts continue to locate 287 missing Indian citizens and 128 persons of Indian origin.
The deployment of forensic specialists and tunnel rescue experts indicates that India’s assistance is now covering multiple stages of the crisis—from locating survivors and rescuing trapped workers to identifying victims.
Meanwhile, rescue agencies in Nepal continue searching devastated areas and clearing routes to restore access to isolated communities.
For families waiting for news of missing relatives, the operation remains a race against time. India’s latest measures are intended to strengthen Nepal’s rescue capacity while helping Indian nationals caught in one of the country’s most devastating flood disasters in recent years.
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