Nepal Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah has thanked India, China and the United States for providing timely assistance following the deadly flash floods in the Bhotkoshi River. The disaster has claimed more than 1,200 lives so far and caused extensive damage across several parts of the country.
Addressing the Nepali Parliament on Tuesday, Shah acknowledged the support extended by neighbouring countries and said emergency response teams and relief supplies had helped Nepal deal with the aftermath of the disaster. The floods, which struck around a week ago, swept away villages, roads and power plants across at least three districts.
The latest casualty figures shared by Shah put the death toll at 1,204 by Wednesday evening, while rescue and recovery operations remain underway. More than 4,200 people are still unaccounted for in Nepal, including 275 Indian pilgrims and tourists who remain missing.
India and China were among the first countries to send relief material and specialised assistance to the flood-hit areas. Since August 26, India has dispatched at least five consignments of emergency supplies, including blankets, sleeping bags, heavy-duty tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits. The Indian Air Force has also carried out multiple sorties to transport relief material to affected areas.
The assistance from India has also included essential medicines, food packets, solar lamps, water purification tablets and portable generators. Several specialised rescue teams have been sent as well, with personnel assisting Nepali authorities around hydropower tunnels and in forensic operations related to the identification and handling of bodies and missing persons.
China has also remained involved in rescue and recovery efforts on the Tibet side of the border. Beijing has reopened the only road connecting the Gyirong border crossing with Nepal after parts of the route were washed away by the floods. The reopening has allowed heavy machinery to reach the main disaster-affected zone for the first time, supporting ongoing relief and recovery operations.
