India Sends Rescue Team and Aid to Flood-Hit Nepal
India's Humanitarian Response to Nepal's Flood Crisis
Photo: @IAF_MCC/X
New Delhi, September 2: The fifth aircraft, carrying an 11-member rescue team equipped with specialized tools and 5.5 tonnes of vital medicines, has been dispatched to Nepal, as announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday.
This aid is part of the ongoing efforts to address the severe flash floods that have impacted Nepal following a glacial collapse in Tibet on August 26.
In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar stated, "The fifth Indian aircraft has departed for Nepal, carrying an 11-member rescue team along with specialized equipment and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines."
India has swiftly sent over 68 tonnes of emergency supplies and specialized rescue teams to assist Nepal in the wake of the catastrophic floods.
The relief materials include blankets, sleeping bags, heavy-duty tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, and hygiene kits. Additionally, the supplies encompass essential medicines, food packets, solar lamps, water purification tablets, and portable generators.
On Tuesday, Nepalese authorities reported that the death toll from last week's devastating floods has surpassed 1,000, with bodies continuing to wash ashore along riverbanks in various districts.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the number of recovered bodies has reached 1,003, with the highest count of 321 found in the southern Chitwan district, followed by 216 in Nawalparasi East.
Nepal Police have indicated that approximately 4,606 individuals remain missing, including 583 foreigners, which raises concerns that the death toll may increase further.
Efforts are ongoing to locate those unaccounted for at various hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, as reported by Nepali authorities.
At the request of the Nepali government, both India and China have deployed technical teams to aid in search and rescue operations within hydropower tunnels.
Additionally, a 19-member Indian forensic team has commenced DNA analysis in collaboration with Nepali forensic experts to assist in identifying the victims of this tragedy.