The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal has risen to 177, making it one of the country’s worst natural disasters in recent years. Authorities said more than 800 people are still missing, including a large number of foreign tourists and at least 178 Indian nationals. Rescue teams continue intensive search operations across the flood-ravaged districts as damaged roads, collapsed bridges, and difficult terrain hamper relief efforts. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued emergency helpline numbers and urged affected Indian citizens and their families to stay in contact with officials. India has also dispatched a second military aircraft carrying humanitarian aid, including food, medicines, and other essential relief supplies to support ongoing rescue operations.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the disaster was triggered by a massive glacial collapse and debris flow in the Himalayan region rather than an earthquake, as initially believed. The collapse generated powerful downstream flooding that swept through towns, tourist routes, hydropower projects, and river valleys across Nepal and parts of Tibet. Hundreds of tourists from several countries remain untraceable, while Indian states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal have established emergency helplines to assist stranded residents and coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
Rescue agencies, the Nepal Army, police, and international teams remain engaged in large-scale search and relief operations as concerns grow over the fate of those still missing. The flooding has caused extensive destruction to homes, highways, hydropower infrastructure, and communication networks, leaving thousands displaced. Governments in India and Nepal are maintaining close coordination to evacuate stranded tourists and deliver humanitarian assistance to affected communities. Authorities have appealed to people to avoid travelling to the affected regions until rescue operations are completed and weather conditions improve.
