New Delhi/Kathmandu, Aug 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with his Nepali counterpart Balendra Shah and expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives caused by devastating flash floods in Nepal. He also assured the Nepalese Prime Minister that India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance and support rescue and relief operations.
The conversation took place after massive flash floods swept through the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa region, leaving several people dead and hundreds missing. The sudden flooding caused widespread destruction and disrupted movement in the affected areas, raising serious concerns over the safety of residents, tourists and other people caught in the disaster.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said he had conveyed his condolences to Shah over the loss of lives and reaffirmed India’s solidarity with the people of Nepal during the difficult period.
“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,” Modi said.
He further assured Nepal of India’s assistance, stating that the country was prepared to extend all possible humanitarian support. Modi also said Indian teams were coordinating closely with Nepalese authorities on rescue and relief efforts.
The disaster has also raised concerns over the safety of a large number of tourists in the Rasuwa region. According to a preliminary situation update issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), 384 tourists and other individuals have been reported missing following the flash floods.
The figure includes 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens. Among the foreign nationals reported missing are 105 Indians, along with tourists from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, South Africa and the Netherlands.
The Nepal Tourism Board, however, stressed that the figures are preliminary and are still being verified. Authorities are cross-checking details with travel agencies, local administrations and other agencies involved in the rescue and relief operations. The nationalities of several missing travellers have also not yet been confirmed.
Preliminary information indicates that the missing travellers were associated with nine different travel agencies. The large number of tourists reportedly affected has added urgency to the ongoing search and rescue operations in the region.
The flash floods caused major disruption across Rasuwa, damaging infrastructure and leaving several areas difficult to access. Local authorities, security agencies and rescue teams are continuing efforts to assess the extent of the destruction and locate people who remain unaccounted for.
According to The Kathmandu Times, seven people have so far been confirmed dead, while several others continue to be reported missing. The death toll could rise as rescue teams reach more affected areas and verify reports from remote locations.
The Nepal Tourism Board has also issued emergency contact numbers for tourists and their families seeking information or assistance. These include the toll-free number 1234, the 1144 hotline and the Tourist Police number 9851289445.
The tourism authorities have urged people in affected areas to remain calm and closely follow official updates. Tourists have been advised to stay informed through authorised channels and comply with safety instructions issued by local authorities.
India’s immediate outreach reflects the close ties between the two neighbouring countries and comes at a critical time for Nepal as rescue operations continue. With hundreds of people still missing and several tourist groups affected, coordination between Nepalese and Indian authorities is expected to remain important in the coming hours.
As rescue agencies continue their search, the focus remains on locating missing people, providing emergency assistance to those stranded and ensuring the safety of tourists and local communities affected by the devastating floods.
