Nepal floods: India sends IAF relief supplies, NDRF teams may join rescue operations
New Delhi: India is sending relief material to Nepal following massive flash floods that swept through parts of the neighbouring country on Wednesday, officials said.
An Indian Air Force aircraft will transport emergency assistance, including medicines and essential rations, as part of the government’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts, officials said.
The government is also considering deploying rescuers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist with relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit areas.
The flash floods struck two Nepalese districts bordering Tibet, killing at least four people and leaving around 400 others missing, according to officials. The flooding caused extensive damage to settlements along the river and affected around a dozen hydropower projects.
Among those reported missing in Rasuwa district are at least 105 Indian nationals and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs), officials said.
The sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River occurred at around 9am local time, with floodwaters reportedly coming from the Tibet side. Rasuwa and Dhading districts, both bordering Tibet, were affected, along with Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu.
Authorities in Nepal are continuing rescue and relief operations as the full extent of the damage and casualties is assessed.
PM Modi speaks to Nepal PM Balendra Shah, assures all possible assistance after floods
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the devastating floods in the Himalayan nation.
Modi said India stands firmly with the people of Nepal during the crisis and is prepared to extend all possible humanitarian assistance.
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts,” Modi said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister also said teams from India and Nepal were working closely to strengthen rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas.
Indian Embassy steps up assistance
The Indian Embassy in Nepal said it was coordinating with the Nepalese authorities to facilitate the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by the severe flash floods.
“The Embassy of India has remained engaged with the relevant authorities of Government of Nepal for early rescue and relief for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that took place in Nepal today,” the embassy said in a post on X.
It added that rescue and relief efforts were being strengthened in coordination with the Nepalese government.
The embassy has also issued emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals affected by the floods or their families seeking assistance.
For emergency assistance and information, the numbers provided are +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500.