Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 27 (ANI): All agencies of the Nepal government, including the Army, Police and armed forces, are working closely to carry out rescue operations following devastating flash floods along the Tibet-Nepal border, Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Nepal in Kolkata, Deepesh Lekhak, said on Thursday.
Speaking to ANI, Lekhak said rescue operations have been prioritised, and helicopter-based evacuations are underway in the affected areas.
"Significant damage occurred due to the flash floods along the Tibet-Nepal border. All agencies of the Nepal government--including the army, police, and armed forces, as well as INGOs and the administrative machinery--are working on this and have prioritised rescue operations," Lekhak said.
"Helicopter-based rescue efforts are currently underway. So far, 239 people have been rescued by helicopter, and the operation is ongoing," he added.
Lekhak said the Nepal Tourism Board has provided updates on the number of tourists reported missing following the floods.
He added that information from Chinese immigration points on the Tibet border is also being assessed, as several people, including tourists from West Bengal and Kolkata, were present in the region.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board, a preliminary record received from trekking and travel companies has identified 644 travellers, including 127 Nepali nationals, reported missing from the affected areas. The details are being verified in coordination with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies.
Other than Indians, citizens of other countries are also missing in the devastating floods. 53 citizens are missing from Ukraine, 35 from Australia and 25 from Canada.
Nepal Embassy sources have also stated, "So far, 175 bodies have been recovered, while many people, both locals and tourists, are still missing. According to the latest available information, 476 people from 28 countries have been reported missing. These figures remain subject to verification as search and rescue operations continue."
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held a review meeting with MEA officials, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian Ambassadors in Kathmandu and Beijing over the Nepal flood disaster.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said urgent efforts were underway to ascertain the status and well-being of Indians in flood-affected areas.
"MEA is coordinating with various Ministries, State Governments, tour operators and project authorities in this regard. We are working closely with the Nepali side, both on this aspect and on the relief efforts," he said.
As the rescue operations continue, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela said that there has been no adverse flood impact reported in Indian border territories following the flash floods in Nepal, adding that agencies are closely monitoring water discharge levels across sensitive districts such as Kushinagar and West Champaran.
Speaking to ANI on domestic preparedness, IG Bundela stated that state governments and the Central Water Commission (CWC) are maintaining continuous vigil and field-level sensitisation has been completed.
The disaster has damaged dozens of bridges and roads, while rescue and relief operations have been intensified by Nepal's security forces using helicopters and ground teams. Medical assistance, temporary shelters, food, water and medicines are being provided to affected people.
The Embassy of India in Nepal has set up helpline numbers for assistance: +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500, and +977 981 032 6117, which are also available on WhatsApp. (ANI)
Nepal floods: Agencies prioritising rescue operations; 239 people evacuated by helicopter so far: Dy Consul General in Kolkata
