Kathmandu, September 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India has rescued 166 of its nationals from disaster-hit Nepal, including three on Wednesday, as New Delhi continues to provide humanitarian assistance following devastating floods that have claimed more than 1,100 lives.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 410 Indian nationals who had been visiting the Tibet Autonomous Region for pilgrimage and other activities left China on Wednesday.
The fifth Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying relief material reached Kathmandu on Wednesday with around 5.5 tonnes of medical supplies, including antibiotics, analgesics, surgical items and other essential medicines. The aircraft also brought an 11-member specialised rescue team equipped with more than six tonnes of rescue equipment.
With the latest assistance, India has supplied around 74 tonnes of relief material to Nepal so far. The fresh consignment was handed over to the local government by Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava.
The assistance comes as Nepal continues to respond to catastrophic flash floods that followed a glacial collapse in Tibet on August 26.
The MEA said an Indian tunnel rescue team shifted its base from Trishuli to Syabrubesi to reduce travel time to Chilime, where search operations are underway in coordination with the Nepali Army. Despite deep slush and blockages inside the tunnel, the team advanced around 100 metres on Wednesday.
The possibility of creating an improvised road approach to the tunnel was also explored to facilitate the use of heavier rescue equipment. The newly arrived rescue experts are expected to begin operations from Thursday in coordination with the Nepali Army.
Meanwhile, an Indian forensics team is working in two Kathmandu laboratories alongside Nepali experts to examine DNA samples.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 1,114 bodies had been recovered by 9 a.m. Wednesday, while around 3,916 people remained out of contact.
Addressing the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Balendra Shah called for greater international attention to climate-related risks in the Himalayan region. Experts said an avalanche blocked the Lengde Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River near the Nepal-China border, before accumulated water breached the natural barrier and triggered a massive flood downstream towards the Trishuli River.
Shah said the disaster had underscored urgent questions about the growing impact of climate change and Nepal’s preparedness for such events.
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