PM Modi speaks to Balendra Shah as devastating Nepal floods kill at least 22; 105 Indians among 384 travellers reported missing

New Delhi: The prime minister, Narendra Modi, spoke to his Nepali counterpart, Balendra Shah, , on Wednesday and assured India’s support for rescue and relief efforts after a flash flood swept through parts of Nepal, killing at least 22 people and leaving hundreds of travellers out of contact. A preliminary Nepal Tourism Board list includes 105 Indian nationals among 384 travellers whose whereabouts are still being verified.

Modi conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives and said India stood ready to support Nepal’s rescue and relief efforts. In a post on X , he said India was ready to provide “all possible humanitarian assistance” to Nepal.

The latest reports from Nepal said at least 22 people had been confirmed dead as search operations continued in areas hit by the sudden surge in the Bhotekoshi river. Earlier casualty figures had been lower as information emerged from remote areas where roads, bridges and communications had been disrupted.

The flash flood entered Nepal’s Rasuwa district from the Tibet side at around 9am on Wednesday, sweeping through settlements along the Bhotekoshi River and damaging roads, bridges, hydropower projects and other infrastructure. Nuwakot was also among the affected areas.

105 Indians among travellers out of contact

The Nepal tourism board said 384 travellers had been preliminarily reported missing or out of contact, but cautioned that the list was still being verified with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies.

Of the 384 people on the preliminary list, 291 were foreign nationals and 93 were Nepali citizens. The foreign national breakdown included 105 Indian citizens, while 37 people were separately identified as NRIs.

The figures should not be treated as a confirmed count of people physically missing in the floods. The tourism board compiled the list from information supplied by travel and tourism companies and was still working to establish the whereabouts and safety of those named.

RNA Media had earlier reported that 384 travellers, including Indians, had been preliminarily listed as missing as the scale of the disruption became clearer.

The tourism board’s preliminary data showed that 59 Indian nationals were travelling through Samrat Tours & Travels and 46 through Leaf Holiday. Separate reporting cited a travel agency as saying that at least 59 Indians were travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Authorities have not said that all Indians listed as out of contact were pilgrims.

Indian embassy issues helplines

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued two emergency contact numbers for assistance and information concerning Indian nationals affected by the floods: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500.

The embassy said the numbers could be used by those seeking assistance or information about Indian nationals affected by the floods.

The Nepal tourism board has also issued emergency contact numbers as authorities continue to trace travellers and coordinate with tour operators and local agencies.

India is monitoring the situation and coordinating with Nepalese authorities. New Delhi has offered humanitarian, rescue and relief assistance, while Nepal continues to assess the scale of damage and the support required.

What happened in Nepal

The sudden surge in the Bhotekoshi river system caused severe damage in Rasuwa and downstream areas near the Nepal-Tibet border. Buildings, vehicles and stretches of road were swept away or buried under mud and debris, while hydropower infrastructure was also damaged.

The exact cause of the flood is still being examined. Preliminary assessments cited by AP and Reuters suggested that an ice-rock avalanche may have blocked the Lhende Khola, allowing water to build up before breaking through and surging downstream.

Authorities have continued to warn communities downstream to stay away from riverbanks because of high water levels and debris.

The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been mobilized for search and rescue operations. Helicopters and disaster-response personnel have also been deployed, although damaged roads, difficult terrain and disrupted communications have complicated access to some areas.

Chinese authorities have separately launched rescue operations on the Tibetan side of the border, while Nepalese officials continue to verify the identities and whereabouts of tourists, workers and residents caught in the affected region.

For India, the immediate focus remains on locating the 105 Indian citizens listed as out of contact and assisting families seeking information. The Indian Embassy’s helplines remain operational as New Delhi coordinates with Nepal on rescue and relief efforts.