Kathmandu, Nepal, September 9 — India continued its humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the devastating floods in August, with its eighth relief flight carrying 35 tonnes of relief and rescue supplies arriving in Kathmandu on Wednesday evening.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava announced the arrival of the latest consignment, which includes equipment for tunnel rescue operations and forensic supplies.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs said the eighth Indian Air Force aircraft was carrying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) equipment, rescue gear, forensic supplies and replenishment materials for Indian Army teams involved in ongoing relief and rescue operations.
The latest assistance comes as search and rescue operations continue in several flood-affected areas, including the Chilime tunnel in Rasuwa, where an Indian team is working alongside the Nepal Army.
According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 1,367 people had died and about 5,132 remained missing as of September 9.
Bodies have been recovered from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West. Authorities said 102 bodies had been handed over, while DNA samples can be submitted at the concerned District Police Office along with two photographs and proof of kinship.
Among those reported missing are about 2,860 people from Rasuwa and 1,787 from Nuwakot. The missing include Nepali Army personnel, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel, government employees, bank and financial institution employees, and foreign tourists.
Rescue operations have also continued through air missions. The Nepali Army conducted 21 helicopter flights on September 9, bringing its total to 1,264 flights as of September 8. The Armed Police Force has conducted 258 flights.
A total of 329 injured people are receiving treatment at 10 hospitals, while 252 have been discharged. The Nepali Army and Armed Police Force have provided medical treatment to 3,535 and 3,287 people, respectively.
India’s relief response began shortly after devastating flash floods struck Nepal in the last week of August.
The first Indian relief aircraft arrived in Nepal on August 26 carrying 10 tonnes of supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines. A second flight arrived on August 27 with 37.5 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets, generators, medicines and food items. A third consignment subsequently carried another 10 tonnes of assistance.
On August 30, the fourth flight carrying 11 tonnes of relief assistance landed in Nepal. The consignment included a technical contingent equipped for search and rescue operations, a team of forensic experts for DNA analysis, blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits.
On September 2, India sent its fifth aircraft carrying an 11-member rescue team, specialized equipment and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines.
The sixth and seventh relief flights, both C-130J aircraft, arrived in Kathmandu on September 4 carrying a combined 21.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, including forensic kits and medical supplies. The material was handed over to Nepal’s Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun to support ongoing relief and rescue operations.
With the eighth flight delivering another 35 tonnes of relief and rescue supplies, India’s assistance continues as Nepal carries out search, rescue and recovery operations across flood-affected areas. (ANI)
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