Kathmandu, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Nearly 300 Indian nationals, most of them pilgrims travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, have been reported missing following devastating flash floods in Nepal, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said on Thursday.
Speaking at the NDTV World Anviksha Summit in Kathmandu, Khanal said the disaster in the Rasuwa region had caused widespread destruction, with thousands of people still untraced. He said the government was continuing efforts to determine the full scale of the devastation and locate those missing.
“Town after town were wiped out within hours,” Khanal said, adding that thousands of families had lost their homes and that authorities were still assessing the situation.
“Foreign nationals, including Indians, take the route in the affected area to the Mansarovar Yatra. Close to 300 Indians have been reported missing and the government is trying to establish contact with them,” he said.
Khanal said around 500 foreign nationals in total were currently out of contact. The Nepal government, he added, was in regular communication with foreign embassies regarding the safety and whereabouts of their citizens.
The minister described the floods as one of Nepal’s worst recent disasters and thanked India for promptly sending relief assistance.
“Right now the focus is on rescue and immediate relief. Many from across the globe are supporting and empathising with Nepal. Government of India has already sent relief. We express gratitude,” he said.
Khanal also appealed to the international community to continue supporting Nepal’s recovery, particularly through tourism. He stressed that most parts of the country had not been affected by the floods and said major destinations, including Pokhara and the Mount Everest region, remained open and safe for tourists.
“Tourism is critical to our rebuilding efforts,” he said, urging visitors to continue travelling to Nepal and contribute to its economic recovery.
Khanal said Nepal had recovered from previous major disasters, including the 2015 earthquake, and expressed confidence that the country would rebuild again.
The official death toll from the latest floods has continued to rise as rescue and recovery operations remain underway.
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