Nepal Floods: Thousands Missing, Relief Rushes

India dispatched 62 tonnes of emergency relief to Nepal in three airlifts, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines, signaling a rapid first responder role as Prime Minister Modi coordinated with Nepal’s leadership. Across the border, missing persons in Nepal and China rose above 2,400, with hundreds of bodies recovered and thousands affected, as authorities warned of further flood risks and ongoing rescue efforts. Nepal reversed its stance on inviting limited foreign expertise for tunnel rescues, DNA testing, and forensic work amid international pressure over foreigners missing in the floods. A Korean response team continued search operations for nine missing Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power employees, facing weather-impacted access and ongoing helicopter-based attempts. The disaster has been attributed to a glacier-induced wall of water, with USGS noting a glacier collapse as a trigger and aid and rescue efforts continuing amid mounting casualties and a sharp impact on regional travel and tourism. The floods have disrupted travel plans and bookings across India and Nepal, fueling cancellations and prompting cautious resumption of international tourism in the affected belts.