The External Affairs Ministry has said that 108 Indian nationals have been rescued so far in Nepal following a flash flood tragedy on Wednesday.
In a social media post, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that contact was re-established with around 50 Indian nationals who were earlier uncontactable. The Ministry said that 275 Indian nationals are reportedly missing and around 128 people of Indian origin, holding other nationalities, also remain missing.
As per a local government source, 598 Indian nationals crossed into Nepal from China in the last two days. Meanwhile, 900 Indian Nationals who are yet to depart from China are safe and the Indian Embassy in Beijing is in touch with them directly or through the local government.
The Ministry added that the Government of India has been working in close coordination with the Nepali and Chinese authorities for the early rescue and relief efforts of those affected by the floods. A round-the-clock Control Room has been established in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing have 24/7 helplines operational.
It said both Embassies have also remained engaged with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of search, rescue and relief efforts. Government of India has offered the National Disaster Response Force to support Nepal’s search and rescue efforts and also mobilised immediate humanitarian assistance with Indian Air Force aircraft carrying emergency relief material to Nepal.
In the meantime, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that a fourth aircraft sortie, a C130J Hercules with 11 tonnes of assistance, was sent to Kathmandu yesterday. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said that the aircraft is carrying a 13-member Indian Army tunnel rescue team with specialist equipment based on the recce team’s on-ground assessment to assist the ongoing search and rescue efforts of Nepali disaster response teams. In addition, a 19-member contingent of six forensic teams is also being sent to assist in the analysis of DNA samples for identification of mortal remains.
A total of 68.5 tonnes of relief material comprising essential medicines, portable generator sets, food packets, water purification tablets and technical equipment have been airlifted to Kathmandu so far. The Minister said that additionally, 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230 feet Single Lane Modular Steel Bridge have reached Nepal. Besides, equipment for the installation of seven more Bailey bridges will be supplied soon and Technical teams for their installation are expected to reach shortly.
