Nepal floods LIVE: 108 Indians rescued, 275 still missing as Nepal flood toll rises to 682

Nepal flood fallout: Bihar is closely monitoring the possible impact of the devastating Nepal floods, Bihar minister Ramkripal Yadav said on Saturday, assuring help to those affected in the state.

“Bihar is adjacent to Nepal, and the water that has come from Nepal in the past has affected many areas of Bihar, leading to loss of life and property, destruction of crops and homes. The Bihar government and the Chief Minister himself are monitoring this,” Yadav said.

“The Bihar government will provide every possible help. The flood victims of Bihar have the first right on Bihar's treasury, and it is secure for them. The government will work,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s flood death toll has risen to 626, with 2,426 people still missing, according to NDRRMA. 4,451 people have been rescued, including 191 from hydropower tunnels and 517 through helicopter operations.

Nepal flood fallout: Three bodies were recovered from the Gandak river in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar after they apparently drifted into Indian territory from Nepal following the devastating flash floods, officials said on Saturday.

The bodies were spotted near barrage pier No. 3 in the Madanpur-Sukrauli area of Khadda on Friday and were recovered by teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Their identities have not yet been established, with Nepal authorities also informed to help identify them.

Several vehicles and other debris, including household items, gas cylinders, furniture and logs, have also been washing up along the Gandak’s banks. Authorities have urged villagers not to enter the river to collect the items.

The development came a day after four unidentified bodies were recovered from a river in neighbouring Maharajganj district, with officials checking whether they could be linked to people missing after the Nepal floods.

Nepal floods LIVE: The Nepal disaster has underlined the importance of real-time cross-border flood warnings between Nepal and India.

Rivers do not stop at international borders. Water originating in Nepal can quickly travel downstream into Bihar and UP, leaving authorities with limited time to respond.

The CWC already monitors river levels across India, but experts have called for stronger real-time coordination with Nepal, particularly for hazards such as GLOFs, landslides and sudden releases from blocked rivers.

A 24/7 information-sharing mechanism could allow Indian authorities to receive early warnings about dangerous changes upstream and give states more time to alert vulnerable communities.

For Bihar and UP, where large populations live along flood-prone river systems, the ability to turn upstream warnings into immediate local action could prove critical during future Himalayan disasters.

Nepal floods: India has stepped up disaster preparedness in UP and Bihar following the devastating Nepal floods.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been placed on high alert, with 20 teams deployed across the two states amid concerns that the flood surge could raise Gandak river levels and affect border areas.

The Centre has also been monitoring the situation closely as water from Nepal moves downstream through interconnected river systems.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) and state authorities are tracking river levels at multiple locations, with several Bihar stations recording water levels above warning or danger marks.

Nepal floods: Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta on Saturday said the state’s Disaster Management Department was prepared to deal with possible Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) incidents, amid concerns following the devastating Nepal-Tibet floods.

Calling the disaster a “very tragic incident” and a global challenge, Gupta said climate change and global warming remained major concerns for the Himalayan region. “Our concern is that such an incident should not occur anywhere in the Himalayan range. Our Disaster Management Department has been prepared for such situations,” he said.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: About 233 bodies were recovered in Chitwan, followed by 158 in Nawalparasi East, 51 in Nuwakot, 48 in Gorkha, 47 in Nawalparasi West, 45 in Dhading, 31 in Tanahu and 13 in Rasuwa, according to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has asked the Centre to extend immediate and comprehensive humanitarian and disaster-relief assistance to Nepal following the devastating floods that have killed hundreds and caused much destruction.

In a letter dated August 28, addressed to home minister Amit Shah, Kharge said India must stand firmly with Nepal, citing the deep ties between the two countries.

Kharge asked the government to consider deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, wherever required and in coordination with the Nepal government, to assist in rescue, evacuation and relief operations.

“The NDRF's expertise and experience in responding to natural disasters can provide valuable support in efforts to save lives and bring urgent relief to those facing this immense tragedy,” he said.

Kharge also aked the home ministry to treat the situation with “urgency and sensitivity” and take all necessary steps to provide assistance to people affected by the floods.

He said the loss of lives, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and displacement of people had left affected communities in Nepal in severe distress.

“The people of India share a deep and enduring bond with the people of Nepal. In this moment of profound suffering, India must stand firmly with our neighbours and extend every possible assistance,” Kharge said.

Nepal floods: The Nepal disaster has brought forth another Himalayan threat -- the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).

A glacier collapse and massive movement of ice, rock and debris triggered Wednesday’s catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border. The disaster also created a new lake in the Himalayan region, raising fears of another sudden flood if the natural barrier holding back the water fails.

Such events can have consequences far beyond the immediate disaster zone because Himalayan rivers cross national borders.

For India, this makes monitoring upstream conditions in Nepal and Tibet crucial, particularly for downstream states such as UP and Bihar.

The disaster has also renewed calls for stronger early-warning systems and closer information sharing between countries sharing Himalayan river basins.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Bihar minister Ramkripal Yadav described the Nepal flood tragedy as “extremely heartbreaking and serious” and said India was committed to supporting its neighbour.

“India is a friendly country to Nepal, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned about it, has promised every kind of help, and is also providing assistance,” Yadav said.

On Indians affected by the disaster, he said the exact number of casualties was not yet known and expressed hope for the safe return of those affected.

On the flood threat in Bihar, Yadav said the state remained vigilant as water from Nepal has previously caused flooding and damage in several districts.

“The Bihar government and the Chief Minister himself are monitoring this... The Bihar government will provide every possible help.” He added that funds would be available for those affected by floods in the state. “The flood victims of Bihar have the first right on Bihar's treasury, and it is secure for them. The government will work.”

Nepal flood LIVE updates: The devastating floods in Nepal have triggered heightened vigilance in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar. Authorities monitor rivers flowing into India from Nepal. The Central Water Commission (CWC) is tracking the situation, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been placed on standby in vulnerable areas.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Around 500 metres of damaged road near the Trishuli River in Rasuwa is hampering rescue and relief operations, with repair work disrupted by heavy rain and the threat of further flooding.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Nepal will need an estimated $4 billion to $5 billion for rebuilding after devastating flash floods along its border with China, FM Swarnim Wagle said, as per Reuters.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Former NDMA adviser Safi Ahsan Rizvi said the devastating Nepal floods highlighted the need for India to speed up preparedness against glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in the Himalayas.

Rizvi said India has already launched a ₹150-crore National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme covering four states and two Union Territories, but stressed that implementation needs to be accelerated.

“We do need to really scale that plan up and do it in a much faster, much speedier way in which there are no delays, and we can reduce the risk that comes out of those glacial lakes,” Rizvi said.

He also called for stronger cross-border coordination between India and Nepal, including a 24/7 communication link between the Central Water Commission and its counterpart in Nepal.

“I do feel that there is a great need for a 24-7 connection between the control rooms of the Central Water Commission in India and the equivalent institution in Nepal...” he said.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: An 11-member Indian team comprising medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts arrived in Nepal on Saturday to assist with flood relief operations, following a request from the Nepal government.

The team will support local authorities in areas hit by devastating flash floods that have killed more than 500 people and left nearly 2,000 missing.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Rescue operations entered their fourth day on Saturday, but bad weather forced the suspension of helicopter operations as teams continued searching for hundreds of people missing along the Nepal-China border.

Nepali Army spokesperson Brig Gen Raja Ram Basnet said rescuers were still working at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project, where more than 100 people are believed to be trapped in a tunnel containing up to 5 feet of mud.

More than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal, while the country has reported 1,924 missing. China has reported 554 missing and seven deaths in Tibet.

Rescuers remain on alert over a new Himalayan lake formed after a glacier collapse that triggered Wednesday’s floods. The lake’s water level, however, fell by around 10 metres from its peak on Thursday, Chinese state media reported.

Search operations are also continuing at the badly damaged Gyirong border crossing in Tibet, where rescuers have reached affected areas on foot, by rafts and with the help of drones. (AP)

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Nepal has introduced rules for foreign journalists covering the flood disaster, requiring international correspondents to obtain a permit before reporting from affected areas.

Foreign journalists must submit passports and visas, organisation-issued identity cards, a reference letter from their foreign office or embassy in Nepal, and details of their pay and benefits, among other documents.

They must apply online and then appear in person at the Department of Information to collect their reporting certificate and ID card. (The Katmandu Post)

Nepal flood LIVE updates: The death toll from the devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 616, Nepal Police said.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Rescue operations in the Trishuli region have been temporarily halted after heavy rain raised river levels and forced authorities to suspend helicopter operations. People living near the river have also been evacuated as a precaution.

Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah said 15,431 security personnel have been deployed for rescue operations, with 4,451 people rescued so far, including 191 hydropower workers trapped in tunnels and 517 people rescued by helicopters.

Before the weather worsened, 16 helicopters had carried out 99 shuttle flights across affected areas. Authorities have also rescued and identified 129 foreign tourists and citizens.

The Kathmandu-Mugling road is largely operational, with only a 1-km stretch at Baireni Bazar operating under one-way traffic. Rescue teams continue to monitor the situation as heavy rain threatens to further disrupt operations. (ANI)

Nepal flood LIVE updates: The Indian Air Force has sent a C-130 aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of essential relief supplies to Nepal as part of ongoing humanitarian assistance after the devastating floods. The consignment includes medicines and food items for those affected.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said 12 people from Assam remain untraced in Nepal following the devastating flash floods.

“Till now we have been able to establish details of 12 people from Assam who are yet to be traced in Nepal. Efforts are underway to establish connection with them and safely rescue them,” Sarma said.

The 12 people are from Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Hojai, Kamrup Metropolitan and Nalbari.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: A retired nurse from Tiruchirappalli has been missing since the devastating flash floods in Nepal, her family friend said.

Kanaga Sundarambal, who worked at a government hospital, had travelled to Nepal on a spiritual tour. Her family has been unable to contact her since the floods, with her phone switched off or disconnected.

“Following the accident that took place in Nepal two days ago, we tried to contact her over the phone, but we have been unable to reach her as her phone appears to be switched off or disconnected,” family friend Aruljothi told ANI.

The family is awaiting information about her whereabouts and praying for her safe return.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar spoke to Kannadigas stranded in Nepal and assured them of safe passage home. He also directed officials to arrange accommodation in Delhi for those returning before they travel onward to Bengaluru.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Nepal is seeking foreign technical assistance for tunnel rescues, restoring transport and communication links, identifying bodies, DNA testing and storing bodies, but does not need foreign teams for general search and rescue, foreign minister Shisir Khanal told Reuters.

“We have already made requests for such specialised services and technical assistance in areas where we don't have enough expertise and technical knowhow,” Khanal said.

Nepal has also asked India and China for bailey bridges after about two dozen bridges were destroyed in the floods. Khanal said Nepali rescuers were capable of handling general search and rescue operations.

“We think there is no need for repetition in this,” he said.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: India’s third relief flight has reached Kathmandu, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. The latest consignment includes emergency relief supplies and an 11-member medical and tunnel rescue team, which is now on the ground to assist Nepal’s flood response.

HT's Shishir Gupta has accessed details of the aid, funds and other assistance being mobilised for disaster-hit Nepal. Read the copy here.

Nepal flood LIVE updates: Nepal needs foreign technical assistance for tunnel rescues, transporting bodies, and identifying and storing the dead following the devastating floods along its border with China, the country’s foreign minister said, as per Reuters.