The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal has risen to 258, while 910 people remain missing or out of contact. Search, rescue and relief operations continued across the affected areas on Thursday. The floods struck the Bhotekoshi River area near Rasuwagadhi in Rasuwa district, close to the Nepal-China border.

According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the latest figures were released in its “Search, Rescue and Relief Update” issued up to 2 pm local time on Thursday. Chitwan reported the highest number of recovered bodies, with 108 deaths. Authorities recovered 62 bodies in Nawalparasi East, 27 in Dhading, 20 in Gorkha, 15 in Nawalparasi West, 12 each in Nuwakot and Tanahun, and two in Rasuwa.

The list of 910 missing or uncontactable people includes personnel from several government agencies. It has 28 Nepal Police personnel, 44 Nepal Army personnel, 13 Armed Police Force personnel, 15 Customs Office personnel and four Immigration Office personnel. Rasuwa reported 161 people missing or out of contact, according to information from the District Emergency Operation Centre. One person remains missing in Nuwakot.

The floods have also affected foreign nationals. Authorities have reported 517 foreign citizens as missing or out of contact. Another 127 Nepali citizens living abroad, who were visiting the country, are also on the missing list. At least 73 people have suffered injuries. Rasuwa recorded 43 injured people, while Dhading reported three.

The flash flood hit the Bhotekoshi area near Rasuwagadhi on Wednesday. It triggered large-scale rescue and relief operations in several affected areas. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate missing people and provide assistance to those affected by the disaster.

India has also stepped up efforts to assist its citizens stranded in Nepal and across the border in China. The Ministry of External Affairs said 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu, who had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, have been rescued. The group is being taken to Kathmandu. Officials will then make arrangements for their return to India.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing that Indian authorities were working to assist those affected by the floods. “As of 1300 hours today, we have been able to rescue 21 Indian nationals. This group of 21 people are from Tamil Nadu,” Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal added that India’s Ambassador in Kathmandu had spoken with members of the rescued group. The ambassador assured them of all possible assistance during the crisis.

Around 200 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side have also sought India’s help for evacuation. The Indian embassy in Beijing is coordinating efforts to bring them to safety. “Our embassy in Beijing is making all efforts for their safe evacuation. There are approximately 200 Indian nationals there who have sought our assistance for evacuation,” Jaiswal said.

Of these Indians, 95 are in Darchan and are travelling towards Baisha to cross into Nepal. Four others are in Geelong city. Another 13 are in Zutulpuk and are travelling towards Saga.

The MEA also said 288 Indian nationals in Nepal remain uncontactable. Communication networks in the flood-hit areas have been severely disrupted, making it difficult for officials to establish contact with people on the ground.

The group includes 73 Indians working at the Trishuli 1 power project. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is in contact with the project head to gather information about them. Another group includes 37 and 49 Tamil Nadu nationals who travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Samrat and Fly Everest Travels.

Officials are also trying to trace 32 West Bengal nationals who travelled through Samrat Travels and were in Timure in Rasuwa district. Another 61 Indians from different states travelled through Richa Tours. The group also includes 33 nationals from Kerala.

“Communication lines in that area are totally disrupted, and therefore it has been difficult to get in touch with people on the ground,” Jaiswal said.

The Indian government has set up a 24x7 special control room at the Ministry of External Affairs. It will coordinate assistance and help establish communication with Indians affected by the floods. Indian missions in Kathmandu and Beijing are also working with local authorities to trace and assist Indian nationals.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for expressing condolences and offering assistance following the floods. In a post on X, Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office said Kathmandu “deeply appreciate" PM Modi’s “warm words of solidarity" and “generous offer of assistance" during the crisis.

“This gesture of solidarity is a reflection of the enduring bonds of friendship between our two countries, which we profoundly value," the Nepali PM added.

Search and rescue teams in Nepal are operating in the affected areas as authorities try to locate those missing and provide relief to survivors. India is also continuing efforts to trace its citizens and support their safe evacuation.