Kathmandu, August 30: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) of Nepal has reported that 675 bodies have been recovered from landslide-affected areas, while 2,498 individuals remain missing.
According to the tourism department under Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, as of Saturday at 5:30 PM local time, contact has not been established with 753 tourists, including 589 foreign nationals.
As reported by Xinhua News Agency, the Kathmandu District Administration Office issued an emergency notification on Saturday, urging various organizations, institutions, companies, and citizens to donate relief materials for victims in the Rasuwagadhi, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts.
The flood, triggered by a sudden rise in water levels in the Bhote Koshi River, has caused severe devastation in the affected areas. Many lives have been lost, and significant damage has occurred to hydropower projects, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced on Saturday that India has dispatched its fourth relief flight to Nepal. This assistance, sent via an Indian Air Force C-130 aircraft, includes 11 tons of additional relief materials.
Jaishankar wrote on the social media platform ‘X’, “The fourth flight carrying 11 tons of aid has now departed from India. The C-130 aircraft is transporting a technical team of tunnel experts and necessary equipment for search and rescue operations, along with forensic experts and tools for DNA testing. Additionally, relief materials such as blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, and sanitation kits are also being sent.”
He further noted that 16 trucks carrying equipment for the construction of a 230-foot-long single-lane modular steel bridge have already reached Nepal. Furthermore, equipment for seven additional Bailey bridges will be dispatched soon.
According to him, technical teams responsible for installing these bridges will also arrive in Nepal shortly. To date, India has airlifted 68.5 tons of relief materials to Kathmandu, including essential medicines, portable generators, food packets, water purification tablets, and other technical equipment.
Jaishankar stated, “Our support for Nepal’s relief and rescue efforts continues unabated.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) indicated that on Wednesday, an Indian Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft also reached Nepal carrying 10 tons of emergency relief supplies, which included temporary shelters, blankets, sanitation kits, solar lamps, and medicines.
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