India has stepped up its relief efforts in Nepal, sending around 95 tonnes of humanitarian supplies on seven aircraft along with 54 personnel to assist rescue and recovery operations following the devastating flash floods, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India would continue providing support based on requests from the Nepalese government. He said additional forensic kits, Bailey bridges and other essential materials are expected to be sent in the coming days.
The assistance includes 30 tunnel rescue specialists, 19 forensic experts and a five-member medical team. Indian rescue and forensic personnel are already working with Nepalese authorities on the ground.
Jaiswal provided an update on Indian nationals affected by the disaster.
According to the MEA, 275 Indians remain unaccounted for, while 166 Indian nationals have been rescued in Nepal so far. A further 1,907 Indians have safely entered Nepal from China.
The spokesperson added that Chinese authorities have reported no Indian travellers currently stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Nepal’s disaster toll has continued to rise following the flash floods.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 1,252 deaths and 4,216 people still out of contact as of Thursday noon.
The flooding began after an event in China’s Tibetan region on August 26 and affected Nepal’s Rasuwa district through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River.
The disaster caused widespread destruction and claimed more than 1,000 lives, including foreign nationals.
India’s relief deployment has included aircraft carrying emergency supplies, while specialist teams remain engaged in rescue, forensic and medical assistance as Nepal continues to deal with the impact of the floods.
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