India sends relief, rescue support

New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- India on Wednesday sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian and medical supplies to flood-hit Nepal as rescue operations intensified after a sudden flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border killed at least 95 people and left hundreds missing, including more than 100 Indians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered all possible humanitarian assistance, while Indian missions in Kathmandu and Beijing coordinated with Nepalese and Chinese authorities to help stranded Indian nationals. The Indian Air Force has also planned further air operations, including the deployment of C-17 and C-130 aircraft with additional relief supplies and helicopters for search, rescue and evacuation.

Modi said after his conversation with Shah that the people of India stood in solidarity with Nepal during the crisis. "India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts," he said in a post on X.

The first consignment, comprising 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief material and essential medicines, was sent to Kathmandu on an IAF C-130J aircraft. The aircraft departed from Hindon airbase near Delhi at around 8:35 pm on Wednesday. The supplies include temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines for people affected by the floods.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India had dispatched the supplies to support Nepal's flood response. "Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected. In face of this challenge, India stands with Nepal and its people," he said.

The IAF said additional C-17 and C-130 aircraft would carry more relief material, while helicopters had been earmarked for rescue and evacuation operations. Another military transport aircraft is expected to carry supplies to Kathmandu on Thursday morning.

The flash floods struck central Nepal after water surged through the Bhote Koshi river at around 9 am local time, with the floodwaters coming from the Tibet side. Rasuwa and Dhading districts were affected, while downstream areas including Nuwakot also faced the impact as the water moved towards the Trishuli river valley.

Rasuwa suffered some of the worst destruction, particularly around Timure, Rasuwagadhi and Syaphrubesi near the Nepal-China border. Houses, roads, bridges and government buildings were damaged or washed away, while transport and connectivity in the strategically important border region were severely disrupted.

The floods also affected hydropower infrastructure. At least a dozen hydropower projects were damaged or crippled, with reports indicating that around 430 MW of generation capacity has been affected. The damage is expected to affect electricity production as rescue teams continue to assess the scale of destruction.

Casualty and missing-person figures remained fluid as rescue operations continued. Nepalese authorities said 95 bodies had been recovered and around 500 people were missing. Other reports put the number of missing people at more than 750, including 133 Indian nationals. An earlier assessment from officials in Rasuwa said nearly 400 people were missing, including 105 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians. On the Chinese side of the border, state-run CGTN reported three deaths and 265 people missing following the flooding in the Tibet region. Indian officials said the full extent of the disaster was still being assessed and that casualty figures could change as rescue teams reached areas cut off by the floods.

The cause of the sudden surge of water was not immediately established. Nepalese meteorological authorities said the flooding was not caused by local rainfall in Rasuwa, prompting attention towards possible upstream causes in Tibet. Possibilities under consideration include heavy rainfall upstream, a landslide or an avalanche blocking the river and a subsequent sudden release of accumulated water. Authorities are continuing to assess the circumstances. The Nepal government has deployed the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, helicopters and disaster response teams for rescue and relief work. The mountainous terrain, damaged roads and high water levels have made access to several affected locations difficult. Indian authorities have also been monitoring the situation because several rivers originating in Nepal flow downstream into India. Water levels and the possibility of downstream effects are being watched as the flood situation develops.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said it was working with Nepalese authorities to secure the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by the disaster. It issued emergency contact numbers, [phone] and [phone], both of which can also be reached through WhatsApp.

The Indian Embassy in Beijing separately issued an advisory for Indians stranded near the Tibet-Nepal border. It said affected nationals could contact Chinese officials on the ground at 0086 139 8999 0012, the Embassy of India in Beijing at 0086 185 1428 4905, including through WhatsApp, or the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu through its emergency numbers.

"The Embassy in Beijing is in close touch with local authorities to assist affected Indian nationals. Please follow all official advisories issued by local authorities," the mission said.

Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal thanked India and Jaishankar for the assistance. "Thank you Hon. EAM @DrJaishankar and the Government of India for the generous humanitarian aid and critical medical supplies extended to support our flood relief operations," he said. Khanal added that India's response reflected the bilateral partnership between the two countries.

The Indian missions have advised nationals in affected areas to follow instructions issued by local authorities. With rescue teams still working to reach isolated settlements and the extent of infrastructure damage being assessed, authorities in both Nepal and India said efforts would continue as more information emerged.

Meanwhile, following the disaster in Nepal, the West Bengal government has opened a helpline at the state police headquarters in Bhawani Bhawan to assist residents of the state who are currently in Nepal. The helpline numbers are [phone] and 9147890181.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.