288 Indians remain unaccounted for after Nepal floods; 21 rescued, MEA says

India said that 288 nationals remain untraceable after severe flash floods hit Nepal, with 21 Indians from Tamil Nadu rescued while operations are underway to locate others who are missing.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is in touch with the Nepali and Chinese authorities for locating Indian nationals who are affected by the tragedy. The list of missing includes 73 Indian nationals who are at the Trishuli One hydro power project, besides other Indians like tourists and pilgrims, the MEA added.

There have also been requests for assistance from about 200 Indian nationals who have been stranded on the Chinese side of the border, the authorities said.

The government said some of the Indian nationals whose status is unclear may be among those in China. The floods and landslides are occurring in a region of Nepal bordering China and have resulted in hundreds of deaths and more than 1,000 missing persons.

Efforts of the rescue teams are being complicated due to the devastated terrain, damaged roads, bridges and communications network in the region. In these challenging hours, India is standing firmly alongside Nepal and stands ready to assist them in all possible ways, Jaiswal said.

New Delhi has already dispatched emergency supplies to Kathmandu to assist in rescue and search efforts.