New Delhi, September 2: India is steadfast in its support for Nepal following the catastrophic floods caused by a glacier burst in Tibet on August 26. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced on Wednesday that the fifth relief flight to Nepal has departed. This aircraft carries an 11-member rescue team, specialized rescue equipment, and 5.5 tons of essential medicines.
Jaishankar shared the update on the social media platform ‘X’, stating, “The fifth flight from India to Nepal has taken off, carrying an 11-member rescue team, special equipment, and 5.5 tons of essential medicines.”
To date, India has dispatched over 68 tons of relief supplies and specialized rescue teams to assist Nepal. The aid includes blankets, sleeping bags, durable tarpaulins, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits. Additionally, essential medicines, food packets, solar lamps, water purification tablets, and portable generators have also been sent.
Earlier on Tuesday, Nepalese officials reported that the death toll from last week’s devastating floods has exceeded 1,000. The number continues to rise as bodies are discovered along riverbanks in various districts.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 1,003 bodies have been recovered so far, with the highest number of 321 found in Chitwan district, while 216 bodies were located in Nawalparasi East district.
Nepal Police reported that 4,606 individuals remain missing, including 583 foreign nationals, raising concerns that the death toll may increase further.
The Nepalese government has indicated that search efforts for missing persons in the hydropower projects in the Rasuwagadhi and Nuwakot districts are ongoing.
In response to Nepal’s request, both India and China have sent teams of technical experts to assist in the search and rescue operations within the tunnels of the hydropower projects.
Meanwhile, a 19-member forensic team from India has begun working with Nepalese experts to analyze DNA samples. This effort aims to help identify the victims of the floods, ensuring that affected families receive accurate information and necessary procedures are followed.
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