India has further stepped up its humanitarian assistance to flood-hit Nepal, sending two more C-130J aircraft carrying 21.5 tonnes of relief material, including forensic kits and medical supplies, to Kathmandu.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the additional assistance would strengthen ongoing relief and rescue operations and support communities affected by the floods.
The latest assistance comes as search, rescue and relief operations continue across several parts of Nepal following the flash floods of August 26.
India steps up rescue and relief support
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said India mobilised its first relief flight on the night of August 26, carrying tents, sleeping bags, medicines and other emergency supplies.
Four more relief flights were subsequently sent based on requests and projections from the Nepali side.
India has also deployed specialised tunnel rescue teams and a 19-member forensic team to support search and identification efforts.
Srivastava said India would continue to support Nepal through the crisis and respond positively to requests for assistance in reconstruction.
Flood death toll crosses 1,200
According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the death toll from the Rasuwa flood disaster and related incidents has reached 1,259 as of 7 p.m. on September 3.
Chitwan recorded the highest number of recovered bodies at 355, followed by Nawalparasi East with 218, Nawalparasi West with 212, Nuwakot with 177 and Rasuwa with 127.
Gorkha reported 72 fatalities, Dhading 60 and Tanahun 38. Of the recovered bodies, 95 have so far been handed over to their families.
Around 5,083 people remain missing across the affected regions, including more than 2,300 reported missing by the Nuwakot district administration and around 2,100 in Rasuwa. The figure also includes 583 missing foreign nationals.
Over 12,000 people rescued
The number of people rescued has reached 12,038.
The Nepali Army has carried out 4,126 rescues, including 3,653 Nepalis and 273 foreign nationals rescued through air operations, besides 200 people rescued by land.
The Nepal Police has rescued 3,988 people, while the Armed Police Force has rescued 3,924.
Around 5,384 injured people are currently receiving medical treatment. Of these, 3,206 were treated by the Nepali Army, 1,874 by the Armed Police Force and 304 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
More than 21,400 security personnel have been deployed for search and rescue, security and public safety operations across the affected areas.
Relief supplies reach affected areas
Relief logistics have also been expanded, with 69 trucks and 38 Bolero vehicles carrying food and essential supplies already dispatched to affected areas. Another 11 trucks were sent on Thursday.
Air operations include helicopter sorties by the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force, along with private-sector flights operating from Kathmandu.
Authorities said fuel stocks in affected areas currently include 40,000 litres of diesel, 22,000 litres of petrol and 18,000 litres of aviation fuel.
Telecommunication services are also being restored. All 110 damaged Nepal Telecom towers have reportedly been brought back into operation, while 75 of 78 damaged Ncell towers are now functional.
Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil was held at Kathmandu’s Bouddhanath Stupa to remember those who lost their lives in the floods.
Former Energy Minister Kulman Ghising called for continued public support for the government, Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel engaged in search and rescue operations.
He said rescue teams were still working to reach people trapped inside tunnels of hydropower projects and recover bodies for their families.
-ANI
