• No Sri Lankan casualties reported as Embassy monitors nationals
• 85-100 Lankans currently in Nepal, including students and tourists

Sri Lanka has expressed its readiness to provide assistance to Nepal as the country continues rescue and relief operations following devastating flash floods that have caused widespread destruction and loss of life in the Rasuwa District and surrounding areas.

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath held a telephone conversation with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on the situation yesterday and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s readiness to extend assistance to the affected country.

A sudden flash flood entered Nepal from the Tibetan side through the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, causing significant damage to settlements in the Timure and Syabrubesi areas and raising serious safety concerns along downstream sections of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli Rivers.

The massive flood, triggered by an upstream avalanche and glacier outburst in Tibet, generated flood waves estimated to have reached eight to 10 metres in height. People have been reported dead and missing, while rescue and recovery operations continue.

A joint operation involving the Nepal Army, Police and Armed Police Force is underway, with several security personnel among those reported missing after border security posts in Timure and Rasuwagadhi were destroyed.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Kathmandu has confirmed that an estimated 85 to 100 Sri Lankan nationals are currently in Nepal. They include around 20 students who recently arrived in the country, Sri Lankans married to Nepalese citizens, individuals heading institutions and tourists. Sri Lankan nationals working with international organisations in Nepal are also among those in the country.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said no reports of casualties or injuries involving Sri Lankan nationals had been received so far.

According to the latest statement issued by the Nepal Tourism Board, no Sri Lankan nationals are among the foreigners reported missing following the flash floods in the Rasuwa area. Security forces and relief teams are continuing search and rescue operations and relief efforts to locate missing persons.

Herath said the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) would coordinate closely with Nepalese authorities to identify and provide any specific assistance required.

“Sri Lanka remains steadfast in its solidarity and commitment to our close friend and neighbour, Nepal,” Herath said in a post on X.

He also expressed his condolences to the people of Nepal, particularly families and communities affected by the disaster, while commending the efforts of Nepalese authorities and personnel engaged in rescue and relief operations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended Sri Lanka’s condolences and solidarity to the affected communities.

In a post on X, Dissanayake said Sri Lanka stood ready to assist Nepal with rescue and clearance operations following the disaster.

He noted that Sri Lanka, having experienced a deadly cyclone 10 months ago, shared in the grief of the Nepalese people as they dealt with the aftermath of the floods. He conveyed condolences to the Government and people of Nepal, including President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced arrangements to provide emergency assistance, coordination and necessary support to Sri Lankan nationals affected by the flood situation.

The Ministry has urged Sri Lankan nationals in Nepal to remain safe and closely follow official updates as rescue and relief operations continue.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu has issued a safety advisory to Sri Lankan nationals, particularly those travelling or residing in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan and other areas along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli Rivers and their corridors.

They have been urged to exercise extreme caution, avoid travelling close to rivers, riverbanks, bridges and low-lying areas, and follow instructions issued by local authorities and security agencies.

The Embassy has also advised Sri Lankans to remain in safe locations until the situation becomes clearer, check road conditions before travelling and avoid attempting to cross flooded roads, streams or rivers.

Those in affected areas have been urged to move immediately to higher ground if instructed by local authorities, while Sri Lankans planning to travel to affected districts have been advised to postpone their journeys until official sources confirm that roads are safe and the flood threat has subsided.

Sri Lankan nationals requiring assistance have been asked to contact the Embassy’s 24-hour emergency hotline on 00977 9851048653 or via email at slemb.kathmandu@mfa.gov.lk.

For information and updates concerning Sri Lankan nationals in Nepal, Director General of International Security Cooperation and Public Diplomacy and Ministry Spokesperson Thushara Rodrigo can be contacted on 070 788 7778 via mobile or WhatsApp, or by email at publicity@mfa.gov.lk.

Responding to The Daily Morning on whether the Embassy had been in contact with all Sri Lankan nationals in Nepal, Rodrigo said they were connected through a community chat and social media network.

He added that the Sri Lankan community was also in contact with Buddhist temples, through whose social networks Sri Lankan nationals could reach out to one another.