Kathmandu, 30 August (H.S.): India has sent its fourth consignment of relief assistance to flood-ravaged Nepal. According to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, an Indian C-130 military aircraft carrying 11 tonnes of relief material arrived in Nepal on Saturday night.

Jaishankar said the latest consignment includes a tunnel technical team equipped with specialised search-and-rescue equipment, along with a team of forensic experts carrying equipment for DNA analysis. The shipment also contains blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, hygiene kits and other essential relief supplies.

In addition, 16 trucks carrying equipment required to construct a 230-foot-long, single-lane modular steel bridge have reached Nepal. The bridge is expected to help restore connectivity in areas where crossings have been damaged by the floods.

According to Jaishankar, India has so far airlifted a total of 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Kathmandu. The assistance includes medicines, portable generator sets, food packets, water-purification tablets and specialised technical equipment, besides other emergency supplies.

India has reiterated its readiness to provide all assistance sought by the Nepalese government in the wake of the devastating floods. New Delhi has said it is responding promptly to requests from Kathmandu and will continue to provide support according to Nepal’s emerging requirements.

The deployment of technical, forensic and DNA specialists is expected to strengthen Nepal’s ongoing search-and-rescue operations, as well as efforts to identify victims and manage the large number of casualties following the floods.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar