New Delhi, 26 August— India today assured “all humanitarian assistance to Nepal as Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart India Balen Shah after a deadly flash flood swept through parts of Nepal.
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” Modi said in a post on X, adding that India is coordinating ‘closely on rescue and relief efforts.’
At least eight people died, while more casualties are feared as flash floods swept Nepal’s Rasuwa district, bordering Tibet, on Wednesday. Across the border, Tibet reported “major casualties” with some missing in the neighbouring county of Gyirong after a mudslide hit a land crossing between China and Nepal, the Xinhua official news agency said.
At least 105 Indians are among the nearly 400 persons missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa district bordering Tibet on Wednesday. Most of the Indians were headed for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet.
The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am (local time) coming from the Tibet side affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu, officials said.
According to a statement by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 384 travellers, 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals, have gone missing due to the Rasuwa floods.
These travellers include 105 Indian tourists, 37 NRIs and remaining tourists from USA, Malaysia, UK, South Africa, Australia and Netherlands.
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been put on high alert as it is fully prepared to undertake any relief and rescue mission in Nepal, Ministry of Defence sources said on Wednesday, as India readies relief supplies for the neighbouring country after devastating flash flood hit Nepal.
The Nepal Tourism Board also issued a toll free emergency number 1234 or hotline 1144 or tourist police 9851289445 for help.
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