India dispatches first relief aid to flood-hit Nepal

New Delhi: India on Wednesday dispatched the first batch of relief material to Nepal after massive flash floods swept through the Himalayan state. About 157 people were killed and over 750, including 133 Indian nationals, remain missing after the massive flash flood, which originated in Tibet swept through central Nepal on Wednesday, destroying several towns and villages, washing away critical bridges, and crippling a dozen hydropower projects.

Nepal foreign minister Shisir Khanal told Parliament that an earthquake hit the Tibet region at 8:37 am (local time) and the flash floods were reported three minutes later, suggesting the tremors may have caused a glacial outburst which triggered the floods. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi river affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet, officials said.

Also Read: Nepal floods claim more than 150 lives, many missing


Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Nepali counterpart, Balen Shah, and assured him that New Delhi will "provide all possible humanitarian assistance" to the neighbouring country.

"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 posted on X.

Videos from the affected areas showed a powerful surge of muddy water, rocks and debris sweeping through the border region, with people seen fleeing as the torrent moved towards buildings and vehicles.

In one clip, a four-storey structure could be seen being swept away by the raging waters, while another showed a car floating in fast-moving floodwaters in Rasuwa. Another video clip showed a long bridge broken into two by the sheer force of the water. Other video clips showed bridges being pounded by powerful currents before collapsing and being swept away. In Dhading district, a video showed floodwaters striking a bridge before the structure collapsed and was carried away. Another video showed muddy water rapidly engulfing a bridge and sweeping it away in about 30 seconds.

Also Read: Nepal - What triggered the deadly floods

Around 100 people have been rescued from different parts of the affected areas, officials said. Of them, 30 are undergoing treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.

The flash flood damaged eight operational hydropower projects with a total capacity of 354 MW and five under-construction projects located in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, according to a statement by the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Wednesday's flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa.

President Droupadi Murmu has conveyed sympathies to Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel and the people of Nepal following the floods. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also expressed his condolences. EAM S Jaishankar wrote on X, "Dispatched 10 tonnes of HADR assistance and essential medicines to support Nepal's response to the devastating floods. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected. In face of this challenge, India stands with Nepal and its people."

Congress urged the government to make efforts to trace Indians who have gone missing in Nepal and provide assistance to their families.

- With Agency Inputs

India on Wednesday dispatched the first batch of relief material to Nepal after massive flash floods swept through the Himalayan state. About 157 people were killed and over 750, including 133 Indian nationals, remain missing after the massive flash flood, which originated in Tibet swept through central Nepal on Wednesday, destroying several towns and villages, washing away critical bridges, and crippling a dozen hydropower projects.

Nepal foreign minister Shisir Khanal told Parliament that an earthquake hit the Tibet region at 8:37 am (local time) and the flash floods were reported three minutes later, suggesting the tremors may have caused a glacial outburst which triggered the floods. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi river affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet, officials said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Nepali counterpart, Balen Shah, and assured him that New Delhi will "provide all possible humanitarian assistance" to the neighbouring country.

"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 posted on X.

Videos from the affected areas showed a powerful surge of muddy water, rocks and debris sweeping through the border region, with people seen fleeing as the torrent moved towards buildings and vehicles.

In one clip, a four-storey structure could be seen being swept away by the raging waters, while another showed a car floating in fast-moving floodwaters in Rasuwa. Another video clip showed a long bridge broken into two by the sheer force of the water. Other video clips showed bridges being pounded by powerful currents before collapsing and being swept away. In Dhading district, a video showed floodwaters striking a bridge before the structure collapsed and was carried away. Another video showed muddy water rapidly engulfing a bridge and sweeping it away in about 30 seconds.

Around 100 people have been rescued from different parts of the affected areas, officials said. Of them, 30 are undergoing treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.

The flash flood damaged eight operational hydropower projects with a total capacity of 354 MW and five under-construction projects located in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, according to a statement by the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Wednesday's flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa.

President Droupadi Murmu has conveyed sympathies to Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel and the people of Nepal following the floods. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also expressed his condolences. EAM S Jaishankar wrote on X, "Dispatched 10 tonnes of HADR assistance and essential medicines to support Nepal's response to the devastating floods. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected. In face of this challenge, India stands with Nepal and its people."

Congress urged the government to make efforts to trace Indians who have gone missing in Nepal and provide assistance to their families.

(With Agency Inputs)