A landslide in Nepal’s Darchula district partially blocked the Chaulani River on Friday, prompting authorities to alert communities living downstream amid concerns that further debris could obstruct the river and trigger a sudden surge of water.

The development came as rescue operations continued across Nepal following the devastating August 26 flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border. Three more Indian nationals, including a five-year-old boy, were rescued from the Trishuli Bazaar area, taking the total number of Indians rescued to 169, while 275 Indian nationals remain missing, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). 

Landslide Partially Blocks Chaulani River

The landslide occurred in the Bhattar area of Api Himal Rural Municipality in Darchula. Debris from the mountainside entered the Chaulani River and temporarily affected its flow.

The District Administration Office warned residents along the riverbanks to remain vigilant because continuing landslides could completely block the river. Such a blockage could create a temporary accumulation of water, raising the risk of a sudden flood if the debris gives way. 

Authorities also moved families from the affected area to safer locations as a precaution. By Saturday, local officials said the river flow had returned to normal, although monitoring continued because of the unstable slope. 

Three Indians Rescued From Trishuli Bazaar

The latest rescue of Indian nationals involved Abhijit Suresh Pawar, Dipika Abhijit Pawar and their five-year-old son Samarth Abhijit Pawar.

The three were rescued from the Trishuli Bazaar area in Nepal’s Nuwakot district. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is assisting with their return to India.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that, as of the evening of September 4, 169 Indians had been rescued, while 275 remained unaccounted for.

Separately, 1,907 Indian nationals who had been in China when the disaster struck have safely crossed into Nepal. The MEA said no Indian travellers remained stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region. 

Two Nepalese Workers Rescued After Nine Days

A major breakthrough in the wider rescue operation came from the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station, where two workers were brought out alive after spending nine days trapped inside a tunnel.

The survivors were identified as Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan. Rescue teams had to clear large quantities of mud, rocks and debris before reaching them. Their survival has renewed hopes for other people still believed to be trapped in hydropower tunnels. 

Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said search and rescue operations were continuing at several hydropower projects, including Upper Trisuli 1, Upper Trisuli 3A and Upper Trisuli 3B. Rescue teams from India, China and South Korea have been working with Nepali authorities. 

Chinese National Also Rescued

A Chinese national was subsequently rescued alive from a tunnel at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project, according to reports.

The rescue involved the Nepal Army and South Korean disaster specialists. The survivor was taken for medical evaluation and further assistance after being brought out of the tunnel. The operation came a day after the successful rescue of the two Nepalese workers from the Trishuli 3A project. 

The continuing tunnel searches are significant because hundreds of hydropower workers remain unaccounted for following the floods. Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said specialised teams and equipment were being deployed to locations where people may still be trapped.

Death Toll and Missing Figures Continue to Change

The human toll from the August 26 disaster continues to be revised as authorities recover bodies and update missing-person records.

A September 4 update cited by Nepalese authorities reported 1,287 deaths and 5,083 people missing, while more than 13,000 people had been rescued. Other reports published around the same time gave different totals as searches continued. 

The disaster has also caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure. At least 55 kilometres of roads were reported completely damaged, while dozens of motorable and suspension bridges were affected. 

India Continues Relief and Rescue Support

India has continued its assistance to Nepal since the floods struck on August 26. The MEA said India had supplied about 95 tonnes of relief material and deployed 54 specialists, including tunnel-rescue experts, forensic specialists and medical personnel. 

The Indian government has also remained in coordination with Nepal over the evacuation and identification of Indian nationals affected by the disaster.

Meanwhile, authorities in Nepal continue to monitor landslide-prone areas such as Darchula while rescue teams search hydropower tunnels and other flood-hit locations. The latest developments underline that, despite several successful rescues, the emergency response remains far from over.