Flood Fury / Nepal Floods: 675 Dead, 2,498 Missing; India’s Fourth Relief Flight Lands in Kathmandu

New Delhi, Aug 30: Authorities in Nepal reported a grim toll from the floods, with 675 bodies recovered and 2,498 people still missing across mudslide‑hit regions.

The Tourism Department confirmed that 753 tourists, including 589 foreign nationals, remain untraced.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu’s District Administrative Office issued an urgent appeal, urging associations, enterprises, and individuals to donate relief supplies for victims in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts.

Also read: Fresh Flood Alert in Nepal After Lake Outburst in Tibet

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on the other hand, announced on Sunday that the fourth Indian relief flight had landed in Kathmandu, carrying critical supplies and technical teams to bolster ongoing rescue and relief operations.

“The fourth Indian flight has touched down in Kathmandu. It brings essential supplies and technical capabilities to support Nepal’s ongoing rescue & relief operations,” Jaishankar posted on X.

The Indian Air Force C‑130 aircraft transported 11 tonnes of assistance, including a tunnel technical contingent, search and rescue equipment, and a team of forensic experts with DNA analysis tools. Relief materials such as blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits were also part of the consignment.

Jaishankar highlighted India’s support in restoring damaged infrastructure. He said 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230‑foot Single Lane Modular Steel Bridge had already reached Nepal, while gear for installing seven Bailey bridges would follow soon. Technical teams required for the installations are also expected to arrive shortly.

So far, India has airlifted 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Kathmandu, including medicines, portable generator sets, food packets, water purification tablets, and specialised equipment. “Our support to the relief and rescue efforts of Nepal continues,” Jaishankar affirmed.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that India began emergency relief on Wednesday with a C‑130J Hercules aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, and medicines. On Thursday, a C‑17 Globemaster delivered another 37.5 tonnes of tents, blankets, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets, generator sets, medicines, and food items.

The latest consignment underscores India’s commitment to providing both immediate humanitarian aid and technical assistance for rebuilding essential infrastructure in Nepal, as the country battles one of its worst flood disasters in recent memory.

(IANS)