Kathmandu, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said India should provide Nepal with whatever assistance it requires to deal with the devastating flash flood crisis, stressing that the scale of destruction calls for an immediate and need-based response.
Speaking to IANS, Tharoor welcomed the prompt response from the Indian government, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with his Nepali counterpart and that India had already sent relief supplies.
“I think it’s very important that India responded immediately to the tragedy. As you know, our Prime Minister called his counterpart. We immediately provided relief supplies, and we hope more assistance is coming,” he said.
Tharoor said the disaster had caused extensive loss of life and infrastructure, with villages destroyed, 18 bridges washed away and highways affected. He also said he had been informed that eight hydroelectric power stations had suffered damage.
“It’s a very serious situation,” he said, adding that the number of casualties could increase substantially as rescue teams continued searching for missing people.
“We only know about 160 confirmed deaths so far. Some people say 180, but it could run into four figures,” Tharoor said.
He expressed hope following reports that 20 Indian tourists had been located, while stressing that efforts must continue to trace others who remain missing.
“We hope the others will also be found. We pray for all the missing people. It’s a very tough time for the families who have lost their loved ones,” he said.
Tharoor said India’s assistance should be guided by Nepal’s requirements rather than what India itself decides to send.
“I think we should do whatever Nepal needs at this moment,” he said, adding that Nepal Police, the Army and other agencies were already engaged in rescue operations.
“If they feel they need our help, we should provide it. If they need technical help or anything else, we should respond,” he said.
His comments came after Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said at least 300 Indian nationals, mostly Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, had been reported missing following the floods.
Khanal said the disaster had devastated the Rasuwa region, with towns destroyed within hours and thousands of people still untraced. Nepal’s official death toll has since risen to 177.
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