Kathmandu, Aug 28: Nepal Police said they had arrested two men for allegedly stealing gold earrings from the body of a woman who was swept downstream into the Narayani River during devastating floods in the country.

After a video showing the incident went viral on social media and sparked widespread outrage, police arrested the suspects after identifying them through an examination of the video. The footage showed two men pulling the woman’s body from the river before allegedly removing earrings from both her ears.

Nepal Police later shared a video, saying that the men allegedly involved in stealing the earrings from the dead woman had been taken into custody. A police official from the District Police Office, Chitwan, Suraj Budha, said the duo were arrested on Thursday.

According to a statement from the District Police Office, Chitwan, Madan Bhujel, 25, and Umesh Chaudhary, 38, both temporarily residing at Bharatpur Metropolitan City, in southern Chitwan district, were arrested near Pokhara Bus Park of the city.

Police also shared the video of the alleged theft and informed the public that the suspects had been arrested. In the viral video previously shared on social media, two men can be seen using wooden planks and the woman’s hair to pull her body out of the water. They then appear to remove earrings from both ears and place them aside. Several people can be seen standing around the scene, with some recording the incident on their phones.

Chitwan Police said their investigation established that the body had been swept away by the deadly floods that wreaked havoc in parts of the country and was carried into the Narayani River in the southern plains.

Police described the incident as an inhuman act at a time when people are suffering from the disaster. The arrests came as Nepal continues a massive search-and-rescue operation. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 478 people had been confirmed dead in the disaster by Friday noon, while 977 remained out of contact.

Meanwhile, Nepali authorities on Friday issued a fresh warning about the risk of another flood, stating that they had received a report of a lake outburst in the Tibetan region of China that could trigger fresh flooding in Nepal.

Mumbai, Aug 28: Leaders across party lines on Friday expressed concern over the devastating floods in Nepal and called for intensified rescue and relief efforts, particularly for Indians stranded in the neighbouring country.

BJP’s Maharashtra MLA Ram Kadam said helping a neighbouring country during a crisis has been a long-standing tradition in India. He also highlighted the concerns of Indians who had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Yatra and were now stranded.

“Protecting one’s neighbour and supporting one’s neighbour in times of crisis has been a tradition in India since ancient times. Many Indians also went there for the Kailash Yatra and are stranded. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a very sensitive person. He personally spoke with them to discuss how to bring them back. The Indian government is also making efforts. Some people from Maharashtra are stranded, and the Maharashtra government is also making efforts,” he said.

Congress Uttar Pradesh President Ajay Rai described the situation in Nepal as unfortunate and urged the Centre to send additional relief material to assist those affected.

“The tragedy that has occurred in Nepal is very unfortunate, and we all stand with Nepal. I would urge the Government of India to send as much relief material as possible there so that the people there can be helped,” he said.

Congress MP Imran Masood expressed concern over the disaster and the possibility of further flooding. Responding to reports about China’s alert regarding another possible flood in Nepal, he said: “May God make things better. May Allah ensure that nothing unfortunate happens.”

Shiv Sena-UBT spokesperson Anand Dubey said the scale of the disaster was deeply distressing and emphasised the close ties between India and Nepal.

“It is very tragic and sad news that a huge natural disaster, a tragedy, has hit our neighbour Nepal. According to the information received so far, more than 400 people have died, and around 1,000 people are missing, including many people from India as well. So first, we stand with them,” he said.

Dubey also appreciated the efforts of the Indian Army and Air Force in relief and rescue operations and said India and Nepal shared deep familial and economic ties.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said the floods had caused extensive damage and that several Indians, including tourists from Maharashtra, were missing or stranded.

“A major flood has hit Nepal, causing extensive damage, with many people losing their lives and several others missing. Rescue and relief operations are underway, and some tourists from Maharashtra and other parts of India are stranded there. The state government is making efforts to bring the stranded Maharashtra tourists back safely,” he said.

DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan said party MP Dayanidhi Maran had already written to the External Affairs Minister, urging the government to locate people who remained unaccounted for and take necessary action.

“Nepal is another country and not part of India, so the External Affairs Ministry has to intervene and do something. That is what our MP Dayanidhi Maran had written to the minister,” he said.

West Bengal Minister Shankar Ghosh said coordinated efforts were being made to rescue people in Nepal, including Indian tourists and those who had travelled there for religious purposes.

“The government is making every possible effort to rescue the people of Nepal, as well as those who went to Nepal as tourists or to visit Manas. There are joint efforts being made from all sides, and we are hopeful that we will receive some information,” he said.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. He also raised concerns over reports that Nepal may not have been adequately informed about the possibility of the disaster.

“The incident in Nepal is very sad. The Samajwadi Party expresses deep grief over the incident and conveys its condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones,” he said, calling the situation a major international tragedy.

Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Ray said the exact extent of the loss of life was still unclear and expressed concern over Indians who remained stranded or unaccounted for.

“The incident in Nepal is a very tragic and difficult disaster. It is still not clear how many people have lost their lives. Many Indian citizens are stranded there, and their families have not been able to receive any information about them. More than 300 people from Bengal are reportedly unaccounted for there. So, this is a very major tragedy,” he said.

Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut also urged the Centre to provide large-scale assistance to Nepal and rescue stranded Indians.

“Many people from India are stranded and missing, including more than 60 people from Maharashtra. Given the extent of this devastation, I believe the Government of India must step in and provide large-scale assistance to rescue and support everyone — not just our citizens, but all the people of Nepal,” Raut said.

Mumbai, Aug 28: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that 37 pilgrims from Maharashtra stranded in Saga, Tibet, after completing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have departed safely via the Nyalm Check Post route to Kathmandu.

The Maharashtra CMO, in a post on X, said, “The 37 pilgrims from Thane, Pune, Alibag, Raigad, and Dombivli areas had gone for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. They got stranded in Saga during their return journey. Their return flight from Kathmandu was scheduled for 2 PM on August 29, making it essential to reach Kathmandu on time. Upon receiving this information, Chief Minister Fadnavis immediately contacted the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, secured the necessary assistance, and ensured the safe return journey from Saga to Kathmandu for all pilgrims. In this hour of crisis, everyone expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Fadnavis, the Maharashtra Government, and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, for the timely help received.”

The CMO also uploaded the list of the 37 pilgrims in the post.

Earlier, CM Fadnavis on Thursday evening spoke to stranded citizens and assured them all possible help for their safe return.

The Chief Minister’s Office in a post on X said, “All 106 passengers from Nagpur have safely departed from Kathmandu for Danapur, Bihar. Following a phone call from CM Fadnavis, Nepal MP Sandeep Rana arranged four local mini-buses to facilitate their journey from Kathmandu to Janakpur. The passengers are expected to reach the Janakpur–Bihar border tomorrow morning. Buses have been arranged for their journey to Danapur, Bihar, from where their return journey by train has also been arranged.”

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said several citizens from Maharashtra, particularly from Satara, Mahabaleshwar, and Pune regions, are stranded in Nepal.

Speaking to reporters, he stated that continuous efforts were being made to establish contact with the stranded residents and bring them back safely to Maharashtra. He said that due to the natural disaster that has hit Nepal, several citizens from the state are stranded there, while the search for some is still ongoing.

He interacted via video call with Shiv Sena’s Deputy District Chief Megha Chorge and her colleagues, who are stranded in Pokhara near Kathmandu. During the call, he inquired about their well-being and reassured them, stating that all possible assistance would be provided to ensure their early return.

Describing the situation in Nepal as extremely tragic and unfortunate, Dy CM Shinde said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a helping hand to Nepal at the Central level. He added that supporting each other during times of crisis is our responsibility, and the Central government, Government of Maharashtra, State Disaster Management Authority, and Shiv Sena’s disaster management team are working in close coordination.

Dy CM Shinde also mentioned that maximum efforts are being made to reach and assist stranded citizens of Maharashtra through Shiv Sena workers based in Nepal.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of the severe flood situation in Nepal, joint efforts by the Central and state governments are underway to ensure the safety of Maharashtra’s citizens. Additionally, Shiv Sena’s disaster management machinery has been activated for relief work. Yuva Sena’s Rahul Kanal, along with several Shiv Sainiks, left for Nepal to assist in the operations.