275 Indians still missing in Nepal, toll climbs to 675

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that 108 Indian nationals had been rescued so far. These included four who were rescued from a hydropower project in Rasuwa, Nepal’s border district which was among those worst hit. He said 598 Indian nationals, who were stranded on the Chinese side of the Sino-Nepal border, had also crossed into Nepal. Another 900 Indians are safe and are yet to depart China, the MEA said, adding that the Indian Embassy in Beijing was in touch with them, either directly or through the local government.

India on Saturday sent more relief material as well as specialised teams. In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said: “The 4th flight from India with 11 tonne assistance is now airborne. The C-130 aircraft is carrying: a tunnel technical contingent along with equipment for search & rescue operations, a team of forensics experts for DNA analysis along with forensic equipment, relief supplies, including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulin, plastic sheets & hygiene kits.”

“Additionally, 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230-feet single lane modular steel bridge have reached Nepal. Equipment for installation of seven more Bailey bridges will be supplied soon. Technical teams for their installation are expected to reach shortly,” said Jaishankar, who spoke to Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal on Friday.

“So far, a total of 68.5 tonnes of relief material comprising essential medicines, portable generator sets, food packets, water purification tablets and technical equipment have been airlifted to Kathmandu. Our support to the relief & rescue efforts continues,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the MEA said a five-member specialised technical team from the Indian Army carried out on-site reconnaissance of hydropower tunnels in the flood-hit areas, which would help in facilitating early search and rescue operations. The team reached Kathmandu late on Friday, and started work on Saturday. Based on their recommendation, a specialised tunnel rescue team from India with equipment was expected to land in Nepal later on Saturday night, it said.

The recce team, sent at the request of the Nepal government, reached the Trishuli area after conducting an aerial reconnaissance of the Chilime and Langtang areas and began assessing the situation for rescue operations, according to Nepalese authorities.

The team met Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, who said that they “conducted a recce of tunnels in Chilime and Langtang power plants area with Nepali Army”.

A joint team comprising the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel has been working since Friday night to clear debris and reach people believed to be trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli-3A hydropower project in Rasuwa. Rescue efforts have been complicated by mud and debris blocking the tunnel entrance and adverse weather conditions.

According to the Nepal Army, security forces have so far rescued 191 workers from tunnels at various hydropower projects. However, a large number of workers still remain unaccounted for. More than 100 people are believed to be trapped inside a tunnel at the under-construction Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project in Rasuwa.

Nepal has sought foreign expertise for DNA testing, forensic work and other specialised tasks as local authorities struggle to identify bodies. It has also sought the help of India and China for construction of 42 Bailey bridges to resume transport services in the flood-hit areas. The portable bridges are designed for fast assembly without heavy machinery or special tools. India had sent one Bailey bridge earlier.

“The Government of India has remained engaged with relevant authorities in Government of Nepal to provide assistance as needed. Government of India has offered the National Disaster Response Force to support Nepal’s search and rescue efforts and also mobilised immediate humanitarian assistance with Indian Air Force aircraft carrying emergency relief material to Nepal,” the MEA said. With agency inputs from Nepal