New Delhi says 166 Indian nationals have been rescued while a fifth Air Force relief flight delivers medical supplies and specialist rescue equipment to Nepal…reports Asian Lite News Desk
India has rescued 166 of its nationals from flood-hit Nepal and stepped up humanitarian assistance as the death toll from the devastating disaster crossed 1,100, authorities said on Wednesday.
Three more Indian nationals were rescued during the day, while 410 Indians visiting Tibet for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and other activities left China, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
India also dispatched a fifth Indian Air Force flight to Kathmandu carrying around 5.5 tonnes of medical supplies, including antibiotics, painkillers, surgical equipment and other essential medicines.
The aircraft also transported an 11-member specialist rescue team along with more than six tonnes of search and rescue equipment. India has now delivered around 74 tonnes of relief material to Nepal since the disaster struck.
The latest assistance was handed over to Nepalese authorities by Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava.
Indian rescue teams continued operations in the affected Chilime area alongside the Nepali Army. A tunnel rescue team shifted its base from Trishuli to Syabrubesi to reduce travel time to the disaster zone.
Despite deep mud and blockages inside a tunnel, rescuers managed to advance around 100 metres during Wednesday’s operations, the MEA said. Authorities are also exploring improved road access to allow heavier equipment to reach the site.
The newly arrived Indian rescue specialists have moved closer to Trishuli Bazaar and are expected to begin operations in coordination with the Nepali Army.
Meanwhile, Indian forensic experts are working alongside Nepalese specialists in two Kathmandu laboratories to examine and analyse DNA samples to help identify victims.
According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, at least 1,114 bodies had been recovered by Wednesday morning, while around 3,916 people remained unaccounted for.
The catastrophic floods were triggered after an avalanche blocked the Lengde Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River near the Nepal-China border. Water accumulated behind the natural barrier before bursting through and unleashing devastating floods downstream.
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah called for greater international attention to the growing climate risks facing the Himalayan region.
Addressing parliament, Shah said the disaster had underlined the urgent need to understand the increasing impact of climate change on Nepal and other vulnerable mountain communities.
The massive floods have destroyed settlements and infrastructure, triggering one of Nepal’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years as rescue teams continue searching for thousands of missing people.
