Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday said India is closely coordinating with the Nepal government to trace and rescue Indian nationals reported missing after catastrophic flash floods in the Bhotekoshi River region.
Speaking to ANI, Singh said reports indicated that many people had died and several others remained missing following the sudden flooding.
“We are receiving reports of sudden river flooding in Nepal; many lives have been lost, and numerous people are missing. Among the missing are approximately 130 to 133 individuals from India with whom contact has been lost. Our national relief teams are on the ground, actively engaged in search and rescue operations,” he said.
“We are making every possible effort, in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, to locate as many people as possible, bring them to safety, and rescue them from danger,” the minister added.
Highlighting India’s humanitarian response, Singh said assistance had already begun reaching the affected areas.
“Aid has already begun to reach the affected areas. Whenever such incidents have occurred, we have always stepped forward proactively because Nepal is a friendly nation… It is our responsibility to ensure that all necessary aid continues to be provided from our side,” he said.
The Embassy of India in Nepal has also extended humanitarian assistance to support relief operations. In a post on X, the embassy said Ambassador Naveen Srivastava had handed over 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid material from India to Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadka Raj Poudel.
“This assistance will contribute to the relief efforts following the devastating floods. India stands firmly with Nepal and is committed to providing all possible support,” the embassy said.
The disaster struck Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River region on Wednesday after an avalanche reportedly blocked the flow of the Lhende tributary, triggering a sudden and powerful surge downstream from the area around Timure near the China border at Rasuwagadhi towards Syaphrubesi, according to The Kathmandu Post.
The floods have killed at least 162 people, while scores of others, including security personnel and foreign tourists, remain missing, the newspaper reported.
According to preliminary agency-wise records received from tourism and travel companies, Nepal’s Tourism Board said around 105 Indians were among foreign nationals reported missing following the flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River area of Rasuwa district.
A statement from Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office said hundreds of people, including 391 foreign nationals and 44 security personnel, had gone missing, The Kathmandu Post reported.
A preliminary assessment cited by the newspaper indicated extensive infrastructure damage across three districts. The floods reportedly destroyed nine hydropower projects and nine commercial bank branches, while 19 motorable bridges and around 40 kilometres of highway were washed away.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives. He said India stood in solidarity with Nepal and was ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance.
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts,” Modi said in a post on X.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, along with medical support, had reached Kathmandu, with additional assistance being mobilised.
“India’s HADR and medical assistance has reached Kathmandu. More assistance is being mobilised to support relief efforts,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
(ANI Inputs)
