New Delhi, 30 August (H.S.): India’s fourth aircraft carrying a fresh consignment of relief material reached Kathmandu on Sunday, delivering essential supplies to support Nepal’s ongoing rescue and relief operations following devastating floods.

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar said in a post on X that the fourth Indian flight had arrived in Kathmandu with 11 tonnes of relief material. The consignment includes essential supplies and specialised technical capabilities required to assist the rescue and relief efforts underway in flood-hit Nepal.

The latest shipment includes a tunnel technical team equipped with search-and-rescue equipment, as well as a team of forensic experts to assist with DNA analysis. The relief supplies also comprise blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits.

The assistance comes as Nepal continues to deal with the devastating impact of floods in Rasuwa and adjoining areas. A sudden and destructive flood in the Bhotekoshi River on the morning of August 26 caused widespread devastation across three districts.

So far, around 724 bodies have reportedly been recovered, while hundreds of people remain missing. The missing include foreign nationals and security personnel. The scale of the disaster has left authorities facing major challenges in rescue operations, victim identification and the management of the deceased.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar