Flash floods that struck parts of central Nepal on Wednesday have left more than 130 Indian nationals unaccounted for, officials reported, with a 32-member group from Kolkata among those who went out of contact. The incident has prompted the West Bengal government to open helplines and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to step up coordination for rescue and relief.
West Bengal group missing after flood at Rasuwagadhi
According to government accounts and travel operators, the Kolkata contingent — described as a group of 30 tourists and two tour managers undertaking the Kailash–Mansarovar Yatra — left the city on 21 August and arrived in Nepal on 22 August. They reportedly reached Rasuwagadhi, the Nepalese immigration point on the border with Tibet, on Wednesday morning when the flash flood struck the area and disrupted communications.
“There has been no communication with any of the 32 members since the flash flood struck the area,” an official told PTI, according to public reports.
Officials emphasised that communications in the affected corridors were severely impaired and that details about the locations and conditions of many Indians remained incomplete as rescue operations were under way.
Scale of the incident and affected Indian states
The disaster has affected pilgrims and tourists from several Indian states. Government updates and press reports put the total number of Indians missing at over 130, with at least 59 pilgrims known to be part of Kailash–Mansarovar groups organised by travel agencies.
- Tamil Nadu: Authorities reported that the whereabouts of 37 of 57 tourists from the State remain unascertained while 20 have been accounted for.
- West Bengal: A 32-member group from Kolkata is uncontactable; residents from Chandannagar (Hooghly) and Barasat (North 24 Parganas) are also believed to be among the stranded.
- Other states: Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have also reported citizens affected by the floods.
State response and helplines
The West Bengal government has set up helplines at the State police headquarters in Kolkata to assist families seeking information. The numbers released by officials are being used to collate lists of missing and traced persons and to liaise with central authorities and the Indian mission in Kathmandu.
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| West Bengal Police Helpline (State Police HQ, Kolkata) | (033) 2479 3311, 9147890181 |
Family members are being advised to keep ready travel documents, group booking information and identity details to speed up verification. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and various State governments have issued helplines and advisories for affected kin.
Consular and rescue efforts
Reports indicate that the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is coordinating with Nepalese authorities and other agencies to locate stranded citizens and facilitate rescue and relief. On-ground rescue work has been hampered by disrupted communications, damaged infrastructure and continuing adverse weather in parts of the affected region.
Travel operators said that many pilgrims in the affected groups were at or near immigration and tourist processing centres when the flood struck, which complicated immediate evacuation and tracking.
What families should do now
- Contact the West Bengal police helpline numbers listed above and provide detailed identity and travel-group information.
- Reach out to the travel agency that organised the pilgrimage; agencies normally hold lists of travellers and local coordinators.
- Keep original ID and scanned copies ready for verification requests from embassy or police officials.
As rescue operations continue and more information becomes available, authorities have urged families to rely on verified official channels for updates. The situation remains fluid and cross-border coordination is ongoing to account for and assist all affected Indians.
Further details are expected from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and State home departments as search-and-rescue teams and local administration share updates over the coming hours and days.
