6 days ago
India Prioritizes Nepal Flood Relief as Death Toll Rises
Severe floods swept through river areas in Nepal near the border with China.
The water, mud and boulders damaged settlements, roads, hydropower projects and other infrastructure.
Nepal’s authorities said hundreds of bodies had been recovered, although reports gave different totals of 469 and 475.
They also said 977 people were still out of contact.
India held meetings to check on its citizens and coordinate help with Nepal.
India sent two aircraft carrying shelters, blankets, medicines, food and other emergency equipment.
India also planned to send Bailey bridges to support rescue and relief teams.
Officials gave different accounts of what triggered the flooding, including an avalanche and a possible barrier-lake breach.
India reviewed Nepal’s rescue efforts and the status of affected Indian nationals with officials and missions in Kathmandu and Beijing.
Nepal reported 469 recovered bodies, while another report cited 475; an earlier Thursday update listed 177.
The disaster authority said 977 people remained out of contact, including 517 foreign nationals and 290 Indians.
India sent 47.5 tonnes of emergency supplies by two aircraft and is mobilising Bailey bridges for relief operations.
Reports variously attributed the flooding to a Tibetan-region surge, an upstream avalanche, and a later barrier-lake breach concern.
- Who
- Nepali authorities, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and rescue teams.
- What
- Officials are coordinating rescue operations, assistance for affected nationals, and humanitarian relief after catastrophic floods in Nepal.
- Where
- The flooding affected the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahun and Nawalparasi districts.
- When
- The flooding struck on August 26; Jaishankar held review meetings on Thursday and Friday, with casualty figures updated afterward.
- Why
- The meetings aimed to locate missing people, assess the well-being of Indian nationals, and strengthen Nepal’s rescue and relief efforts.
Key facts
- Reported recovered bodies
- Nepal’s disaster authority reported 469 recovered bodies, while The Kathmandu Post cited 475; an earlier Thursday police update listed 177.
- People out of contact
- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 977 people remained out of contact.
- Foreign nationals out of contact
- Of those out of contact, 517 were identified as foreign nationals.
- Indians out of contact
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 290 Indians remained out of contact.
- Indian assistance
- Two aircraft transported 47.5 tonnes of emergency supplies to Kathmandu.
- Supplies sent
- The shipments included shelters, tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, pumps, kitchen sets, generators, medicines and food.
- Tourists rescued
- The Nepal Tourism Board reported that 117 tourists had been rescued, including 85 from India.
- Injuries
- At least 73 people were injured, including 43 in Rasuwa, 27 in Nuwakot and three in Dhading.
Quotes
Randhir Jaiswal
Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs
“Discussed the relief and rescue efforts underway in Nepal today. Our Embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing provided an updated picture in respect of the status and well-being of Indian nationals. The concerned MEA Divisions apprised us of the further relief supplies to be sent to Nepal. We give highest priority to this issue.”
thehansindia.com
republicworld.com
“In total, across the two departures by air, India has sent 47.5 tonnes of emergency supplies aimed at supporting Nepal's ongoing rescue and relief operations. Let me say that further assistance is also being considered. We are also mobilising Bailey bridges to assist in rescue and relief efforts.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Nepal floods: EAM Jaishankar discusses relief and rescue efforts with MEA officials, Indian missions in Kathmandu and Beijing
EAM Jaishankar reviews Nepal flood situation with MEA officials, Indian envoys in Kathmandu and Beijing
India Prioritises Nepal Relief as EAM Jaishankar Reviews Rescue Operations After Deadly Flash Floods
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