At least 1,500 people remain missing after the deluge struck near the Nepal-China border, leaving the Himalayan nation grappling with one of its worst disasters in recent years.

In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "A helping hand from India."

Sharing details of the latest assistance, Jaiswal said the second consignment had been handed over to Nepal's Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahabir Pun, to support the country's flood relief and rescue efforts.

"India remains committed to standing by Nepal and its people," he said.

Earlier, India had sent 10 tonnes of HADR assistance and essential medicines to support Nepal's relief operations.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a review meeting with senior Indian officials on the situation in Nepal.

"Held a review meeting with Foreign Secretary, Team MEA and our Ambassadors in Kathmandu & Beijing on the Nepal flood disaster," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

"Urgent efforts are underway to ascertain the status and well-being of all Indians in the flood-affected areas," he added.

The MEA said that at least 290 Indians remain unaccounted for following the disaster.

Rescue efforts continue

Nepal's security forces are continuing search-and-rescue operations despite extensive damage to roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

Helicopters and ground teams are being deployed to reach isolated communities and evacuate people stranded in flood-affected areas.

Rescue teams are also assessing damage to roads, bridges and other key infrastructure, while authorities continue efforts to locate those still missing.

The scale of the destruction has raised concerns over the ability of rescue teams to reach remote communities and account for the large number of people still unaccounted for.

US to provide $500,000 in assistance

The US State Department said it was closely monitoring the situation and deploying a disaster response adviser to the region to support relief efforts.

"The Department will also provide $500,000 in assistance through its global award with Catholic Relief Services, supporting emergency shelter, relief items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance to flood-affected communities," the State Department said.

What happened in Nepal?

The flash flood struck the Bhotekoshi River region at around 9 am on Wednesday, August 26, causing widespread destruction across three districts.

Foreign tourists and pilgrims were among those reported missing after powerful floodwaters swept through the region.

The deluge destroyed or swept away homes, buildings, vehicles, livestock and public infrastructure, turning the disaster into one of Nepal's most devastating floods in recent years.

Himalayan region faces growing flood risks

The latest disaster has renewed concerns over the increasing vulnerability of communities across the Himalayan region to sudden floods and other climate-related hazards.

Scientists and officials have warned that rising temperatures and changes to Himalayan glaciers and glacial systems could increase risks to communities, infrastructure and water supplies across the region.

The area witnessed a similar disaster in August 2025, when a glacial lake in Tibet overflowed amid high temperatures.

Nine people were killed in that disaster, while critical infrastructure, including a bridge linking Nepal and China, was damaged.