India steps up Nepal flood relief; 108 Indians rescued, 275 still missing

India has intensified rescue and relief operations in Nepal following the devastating Bhote Koshi River floods on August 26, deploying assistance through both air and land routes.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 108 Indian nationals had been rescued from flood-affected areas in Nepal as of 10:30 pm Saturday, while contact had been restored with another 40 Indians.

Local authorities have confirmed that 598 Indian nationals safely crossed into Nepal from China, Jaiswal said. Around 900 more Indians are waiting to leave China and are safe and in contact with the Indian Embassy in Beijing.

However, authorities are still trying to trace 275 Indian nationals and 128 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) reported missing following the disaster.

Embassy issues details on identifying victims

Jaiswal also shared an advisory from the Indian Embassy in Nepal regarding the identification of mortal remains recovered after the flash floods. The embassy has provided helpline numbers and an email address for assistance with identification and related information.

Fourth IAF flight delivers 11 tonnes of aid

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said a fourth Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying 11 tonnes of emergency relief supplies had arrived in Kathmandu.

The latest consignment includes essential relief material as well as equipment to help restore connectivity in flood-hit areas. Sixteen trucks carrying components for a 230-foot single-lane modular steel bridge have already reached Nepal.

Equipment for seven additional Bailey bridges will be dispatched shortly, along with technical teams to assist with installation and restore critical road links.

With the latest shipment, India has airlifted 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Kathmandu. The supplies include essential medicines, portable generators, food packets, water-purification tablets and heavy technical equipment.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said the fourth flight also carried an additional technical team and equipment for tunnel search-and-rescue operations.

“4th flight from India with 11 tonnes of relief supplies including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulin, plastic sheets & hygiene kits arrived in Kathmandu,” Srivastava said.

India expands rescue and infrastructure support

India has sent more than 60 tonnes of emergency assistance to Nepal since the deadly floods struck, becoming the first major country to physically deliver humanitarian aid following the disaster.

The response is being seen as another example of India’s role as a “first responder” in major disasters, following relief and rescue assistance provided to countries including Türkiye, Syria, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.

India has also deployed technical teams to support search-and-rescue operations and help restore infrastructure damaged by the floods.

Nepal remains on high alert

Nepal continues to conduct rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of the Bhote Koshi River floods.

Prime Minister Balen Shah said Saturday that the government remained on high alert and would operate at full capacity until every flood-affected citizen was safe and fully rehabilitated.

Search-and-rescue teams, technical units and international aid agencies continue to work in affected areas. Operations are being conducted around the clock to locate missing people, evacuate survivors and restore essential infrastructure.