Kathmandu, August 27: India has handed over 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nepal to support relief operations following flash floods in the Bhotekoshi River region.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava handed over the relief material to Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadka Raj Poudel, the Embassy of India in Nepal said in a post on X.
The assistance comes after a flash flood struck the Bhotekoshi River region on Wednesday after an avalanche blocked the flow of the Lhende tributary. The surge affected Timure near the China border in Rasuwagadhi and moved downstream towards Syaphrubesi.
At least 157 people have been confirmed dead, while nearly 400 remain unaccounted for, according to reports citing Nepalese authorities. Foreign nationals and security personnel are among those reported missing.
Nepal’s Tourism Board said around 105 Indian nationals were among the foreign nationals reported missing following the flash flood in the Rasuwa area. The figures are based on preliminary information received from tourism and travel companies.
A statement from Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office said 391 foreign nationals and 44 security personnel were among those missing.T
he disaster also damaged infrastructure across several districts. A preliminary assessment cited by The Kathmandu Post reported that nine hydropower projects, nine commercial bank branches and 19 motorable bridges were destroyed, while around 40 kilometres of highway were washed away.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday and conveyed condolences over the loss of lives. Modi said India was ready to provide humanitarian assistance and that teams from both countries were coordinating on rescue and relief operations.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said that India’s humanitarian assistance and medical support had reached Kathmandu, with further assistance being mobilised.
India’s delivery of relief material is expected to support ongoing search, rescue and recovery operations in the affected areas.