India is stepping up its support for Nepal as devastating flash floods have left more than 500 people dead and disrupted connectivity across several parts of the country. The Indian government said on Friday that specialised teams are being sent to help rescue people who may still be trapped inside a hydropower tunnel.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India is also sending Bailey bridges, portable prefabricated truss bridges that can be quickly assembled without heavy machinery. The bridges are expected to help Nepal restore road connectivity after several bridges were washed away in the floods.
Rescue teams and relief supplies
Jaishankar said India is sending experts to assist with rescue operations at a hydropower project where people may still be trapped inside a tunnel. Medical teams may also be sent if required, while India is ready to deploy the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) if Nepal asks for its assistance.
India has already sent two aircraft carrying relief supplies, while a third plane was scheduled to leave on Friday, 28th August.
Earlier, the Nepal Army rescued around 350 labourers and residents who had been trapped inside a hydropower tunnel. Some Indian nationals were among the workers at the Trishuli 1 site. Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office said rescue teams are continuing their search for around 100 people who are still believed to be trapped.
Over 315 Indians still out of contact
Jaishankar said India is also working to establish contact with its citizens in Nepal. According to him, more than 315 Indians have still not been contacted, while around 85 Indians have been rescued from different locations.
Among those rescued was a group of 21 Indian pilgrims returning from Kailash Mansarovar. They were rescued by the Nepal Army and later brought to Kathmandu, where the Indian Embassy helped arrange their return.
Jaishankar said the rescued pilgrims were particularly grateful to the Nepal Army for evacuating them from difficult areas.
India offers further help
Jaishankar said he spoke with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and assured him that India would continue supporting Nepal’s relief and rescue operations. India has offered a range of assistance, including rescue, medical and infrastructure support, which Nepal will decide based on its requirements.
The External Affairs Minister also held a meeting with officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing to review the situation. Officials briefed him about the relief material being sent to Nepal.
The floods, triggered by the Bhote Koshi River, have caused widespread destruction, washing away bridges, towns and villages. Around 977 people remain out of contact, according to the latest information.
