India has sent its fifth relief shipment to flood-hit Nepal as rescue and relief operations continue following the catastrophic Himalayan glacial floods. The latest aid flight carried an 11-member rescue team, specialised equipment and 5.5 tonnes of medical supplies.

The disaster, which began on August 26, followed a series of events in the high Himalayas. A glacial collapse sent large amounts of rock, ice and meltwater into the valleys below, triggering powerful floods downstream.

Scientists studying satellite imagery said the collapse appears to have involved the failure of bedrock beneath a glacier in the Himalayan region. The rockfall was powerful enough to register as a magnitude 5.2 seismic event.

The resulting surge of water and debris entered rivers flowing through valleys in Tibet and Nepal, causing water levels to rise rapidly. Floodwaters then swept through communities, damaging or destroying homes, buildings, roads and bridges while carrying mud and rocks downstream.

The death count from the disaster has crossed 1,000, while nearly 4,500 people remain unaccounted for as rescue teams continue operations across Nepal.

Amid the ongoing crisis, Nepal has also urged international travellers not to abandon the Himalayas. The country has declared itself open for tourism while assessing the human and economic impact of the floods.

"Our mountain trails and trekking routes are still waiting for you," Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel said in a video message on Facebook, using the hashtag #NepalCalling. "Your coming to Nepal this time does not mean only a holiday. It's a big support to the country fighting this catastrophic tragedy of flash floods."

The appeal comes as images of destroyed villages, roads and bridges, along with reports of deaths following the floods, raise concerns about the impact on Nepal's tourism sector. While several parts of the country have been affected, other tourist destinations remain largely untouched by the disaster.

Nepal's tourism authorities are therefore seeking continued international support and visitor confidence as rescue operations remain underway and the country works to assess the wider impact of the floods.

Uzbekistan has introduced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens, opening a new chapter in travel and tourism ties between the two countries.

The announcement was made by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tashkent, as part of the Prime Minister's two-day State visit to Uzbekistan from August 29 to August 30. President Mirziyoyev said the new visa-free arrangement will support stronger people-to-people connections while encouraging tourism and business exchanges between India and Uzbekistan.

"India is our reliable strategic partner. Last year, our bilateral trade exceeded USD 1 billion for the first time. In recent years, the number of joint ventures has increased sevenfold. There are now 14 direct flights between our countries every week," Mirziyoyev said.

The Uzbek President also highlighted the growing economic and cultural links between the two countries. Bilateral trade has crossed USD 1 billion, while the number of joint ventures has increased sevenfold in recent years. There are currently 14 direct flights between India and Uzbekistan every week, supporting connectivity between the two markets. The new visa-free regime is expected to make travel easier for Indian visitors and could provide further momentum to Uzbekistan's tourism sector. It is also expected to support business travel and wider exchanges between people from both countries.

During the talks, Mirziyoyev pointed to the contribution of cultural institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri Center for Indian Culture and the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Indian Studies in strengthening humanitarian and cultural ties. Yoga has also gained popularity in Uzbekistan, with a dedicated Yoga Federation operating in the country since 2018.

The Uzbek President added, "Visa-free regime for Indian citizens will make a significant contribution to the development of people-to-people contacts, tourism, and business exchanges."

India and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations on March 18, 1992, when a protocol establishing diplomatic ties was signed in Tashkent. India was among the first countries to recognise Uzbekistan's sovereignty following its independence. The relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2011 and is supported by institutional mechanisms that enable regular engagement at political and official levels.

Prime Minister Modi's latest visit follows his earlier visit to Uzbekistan in 2015, along with his visits in 2016 and 2022 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summits. The relationship has also seen high-level exchanges, including President Mirziyoyev's State Visit to India in 2018 and his participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2019.

Following his visit to Tashkent, PM Modi will travel to Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, marking 25 years of the organisation. The new 30-day visa-free arrangement is expected to make travel between India and Uzbekistan more convenient while opening further opportunities for tourism, business and people-to-people exchanges.

Search and rescue operations following the devastating Nepal-Tibet floods have entered their fourth day, with 1,924 people reported missing in Nepal, according to the country's disaster relief agency. The figure includes at least 517 foreign nationals, although authorities have reported different numbers as the situation continues to develop.

International aid agencies and governments have stepped up support for Nepal as rescue teams continue searching for survivors and assisting affected communities.

The European Union, Canada and the United States are among those that have announced plans to provide aid materials or financial assistance. The United Nations has also warned that tens of thousands of households are in need of food and emergency drinking water. According to Nepali officials, around 4,000 people have been rescued, while more than 500 deaths have been confirmed following the floods.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also announced €2 million in immediate humanitarian aid for Nepal, saying the assistance will provide "life-saving assistance to families and communities hit hardest".

The disaster has also affected tourists who were travelling through the region, with many of those missing believed to have been on pilgrimage journeys. The area is an important destination for Hindus and Buddhists, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year to sacred sites. Indian nationals, including several pilgrims, make up the largest group of foreign visitors affected by the flash floods.

Many Indian pilgrims travel through Nepal towards Mount Kailash in Tibet, a 6,400-metre peak considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Nepal also attracts visitors from across the world for trekking and hiking.

The Rasuwa region in north-central Nepal, one of the areas hit hardest by the floods, is known for its hiking routes. Although August is not the peak trekking season, authorities believe some hikers may have been in the region when the floods struck. Satellite images taken before and after the floods and mudslides have provided a clear view of the destruction across towns and villages along the Nepal-Tibet border.

In images taken last month, the colourful buildings of Timure, Nepal, could be seen lining the river. Following the disaster, only a few buildings remain visible, with large parts of the area covered by mud, water and rock. With rescue operations continuing, authorities and relief agencies remain focused on locating those still missing, supporting survivors and delivering essential supplies to communities affected by the disaster.