US Lawmakers Urge Rubio to Step Up Rescue Efforts for Americans Trapped in Nepal’s Flood‑Devastated Highlands

Washington – A coalition of thirty U.S. lawmakers, including five Indian‑American representatives, sent a sharply‑worded letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 8, pleading for a bigger, faster response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Nepal after the August 26 flash floods.

The sudden deluge, which slammed the Rasuwa district – a key gateway for the sacred Kailash‑Mansarovar pilgrimage – has already claimed more than 1,300 lives. Among the victims are at least 75 American citizens who remain missing, with some estimates pushing the number toward ninety.

In their missive, lawmakers such as Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, Rep. Shri Thanedar and Rep. Pramila Jayapal urged the State Department to do more than the $500,000 earmarked through Catholic Relief Services and the $3.6 million humanitarian package announced on August 29. While they welcomed the assistance, they stressed that “the unprecedented loss of life and countless missing persons demand a far more robust effort.”

The letter specifically asked Rubio to deploy a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the hard‑hit communities. These elite squads, the congress members noted, can coordinate on‑the‑ground relief, assess emerging needs and work hand‑in‑hand with Nepalese officials and partner NGOs.

Beyond boots on the ground, the lawmakers called for the use of high‑altitude assets – think aircraft that can soar above the mountainous terrain – and the deployment of thermal‑infrared drones. Such technology could spot survivors hidden beneath debris or pinpoint the whereabouts of those still trapped.

Equally important, the representatives pressed for daily briefings to be sent directly to families back home. “Our constituents deserve timely, transparent information,” the letter read, underscoring the emotional toll on families anxiously awaiting news.

Finally, they asked the State Department to keep diplomatic channels open not just with Nepal, but also with China and other donor nations, to facilitate the flow of information about missing Americans and to secure additional aid if needed.

While the request is still under review, the letter reflects a growing bipartisan concern that the U.S. government must act decisively when its citizens are caught in overseas disasters.