India on Wednesday activated emergency helplines in Nepal and China for its nationals affected by the devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, as rescue teams raced to locate hundreds of people who remained out of contact, including 133 Indians. At least 98 people have been killed in the disaster, with 95 deaths reported in Nepal and three in Tibet. More than 750 people were reported missing or out of contact across the two sides of the border as rescue operations continued through difficult terrain.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued two emergency contact numbers — +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500 — for Indians requiring assistance or families seeking information about relatives in the affected areas. Both numbers can also be contacted through WhatsApp.
The Embassy of India in Beijing separately issued the emergency helpline 0086 185 1428 4905, also available on WhatsApp, for Indian nationals affected on the Chinese side. The missions said they were coordinating with local authorities as efforts intensified to rescue stranded people and establish contact with those whose whereabouts remained unknown.
133 Indians remain out of contact
Nepalese authorities said a large number of foreign tourists were among those who could not be contacted following the floods. The list included 133 Indian nationals, although officials cautioned that people described as missing may simply be unreachable because communication networks and transport links have been badly disrupted.
Many foreign visitors were travelling through the Himalayan region on pilgrimage and tourism routes when the disaster struck. Tourists from several other countries, including the United States, Britain, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands, were also reported among those out of contact.
The Nepal Tourism Board also activated emergency services for affected tourists, while local authorities, security agencies, tour operators and guides were working to verify the whereabouts of travellers.
The flash flood swept through settlements along the river system connecting Tibet and Nepal, carrying enormous quantities of water, mud and debris into populated areas. Roads and bridges were washed away, buildings were destroyed and hydropower facilities suffered extensive damage, severely restricting access to several locations.
On the Chinese side, authorities reported three deaths and 265 people missing as rescue teams were deployed in Tibet's Gyirong region.
India sends relief supplies
India also moved to assist Nepal's wider relief operation, sending around 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid and critical medical supplies as Kathmandu grappled with the scale of the disaster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences over the loss of lives. Modi assured him that India would provide all possible humanitarian and relief assistance. Indian officials said the Embassy in Kathmandu remained in close contact with the Nepal government and was working to facilitate rescue and relief for affected Indian nationals. Nepal has sought assistance from neighbouring India and China as its military, police and other emergency agencies conduct search operations in areas cut off by the floods.
Emergency helplines
For Indian nationals in Nepal: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500
For Indian nationals in China: 0086 185 1428 4905
The numbers issued by the Indian missions are available for people seeking emergency assistance or information about relatives affected by the floods.