India Dispatches First Tranche of Relief Supplies to Nepal

NEW DELHI, Aug 26: India on Wednesday dispatched the first consignment of humanitarian aid to Nepal as the neighbouring country grappled with devastating flash floods along its border with Tibet that have claimed at least 95 lives and caused widespread destruction.

An Indian Air Force C-130J transport aircraft carrying around 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies departed from Hindon airbase near Delhi for Kathmandu at around 8:35 pm.

The move came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him that India would extend all possible humanitarian support to help the country cope with the disaster.

Following the conversation, Modi said India stood in solidarity with the people of Nepal during the difficult period and that Indian teams were coordinating with Nepalese authorities on rescue and relief operations.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the consignment included humanitarian assistance, disaster relief material and essential medicines to strengthen Nepal’s response to the floods.

“Dispatched 10 tonnes of HADR assistance and essential medicines to support Nepal’s response to the devastating floods,” Jaishankar said in a social media post.

He also expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and said India would continue to stand with Nepal and its people during the crisis.

The relief consignment contains a range of emergency supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines. The materials are intended to provide immediate support to people affected by the floods and assist ongoing relief operations.

The Indian Air Force said the C-130J had been deployed swiftly in response to the disaster and that additional airlift operations were being planned.

Further consignments are expected to be transported by C-17 and C-130 aircraft, while helicopters have also been kept ready for rescue and evacuation missions where required.

The latest reports put the death toll from the flash floods at 95, with several hundred people still reported missing. The disaster has caused severe damage in areas close to the Nepal-Tibet border, triggering rescue and relief efforts.

India is expected to send additional assistance to Nepal over the coming days. Another military transport aircraft is likely to carry relief supplies to Kathmandu on Thursday morning as New Delhi continues to coordinate its humanitarian response with Nepalese authorities.

The assistance comes as the two neighbouring countries work to strengthen rescue operations and provide urgent support to communities affected by the floods.