Indian embassy issues emergency helplines as flooding in Nepal strands hundreds of Indians

New Delhi, Sep 30: The death toll from the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal caused by heavy monsoon rains over the weekend has risen to 193, with hundreds more injured, according to local authorities.

While rescue and recovery efforts have intensified, many areas, including the capital Kathmandu, remain cut off, and the situation is particularly awful for local residents including hundreds of stranded Indian citizens.

The Indian Embassy in Nepal has urged Indian nationals affected by the floods to immediately contact the embassy for support. Indian citizens seeking assistance or information are advised to reach out via the following emergency numbers, which are also available on WhatsApp:

+977-9851316807 – [Emergency Helpline]

+977-9851107021 – [Attaché (Consular)]

+977-9749833292 – [ASO (Consular)]

"The Embassy is actively coordinating with local Nepali authorities to facilitate the safe return and evacuation of Indian citizens stranded in various parts of Nepal," the Indian Embassy said in a statement. "We are in touch with groups of stranded Indians, ensuring they receive the help they need."

The embassy has already received several distress calls from Indian citizens, many of whom were on pilgrimage trips to Kathmandu and nearby areas. With major highways blocked by landslides and much of southern Kathmandu flooded, efforts to rescue those trapped in remote areas are still ongoing.

According to Nepali authorities, approximately 5,000 people have been rescued, but the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to access more isolated regions. Over 31 people are still missing, and around 100 are injured across the country. In one particularly tragic incident, a landslide killed three dozen people on a highway just 16 kilometres from Kathmandu.

Images from the worst-hit areas show entire neighbourhoods underwater, while many homes have been buried under thick mud. Power lines are down, and roads connecting the capital to other regions are completely blocked. Rescue teams are using helicopters, boats, and even zip lines to reach those stranded by the floods.

The Nepal government has declared a three-day closure of schools and colleges as the clean-up and recovery operations continue. The monsoon season, which usually runs from June to mid-September, has been especially severe this year, exacerbating the destruction caused by the floods.

With the Bagmati River in Kathmandu swelling to dangerous levels and the overflowing rivers affecting northern India, particularly Bihar, the flooding has had widespread impacts across the region.

While Nepal is accustomed to heavy monsoon rains, experts say unplanned urban development and inadequate drainage systems have worsened the flooding, leading to this year’s particularly severe crisis.

Indian nationals in Nepal are advised to remain vigilant, stay updated on weather reports, and contact the embassy at the earliest if they need help.