India Steps Up Humanitarian Aid to Nepal Following Flash Floods
Kathmandu, Nepal – In response to the severe flash floods that have impacted large areas of Nepal, India has ramped up its humanitarian efforts. The country has contributed over 130 tons of relief supplies and deployed 54 specialized personnel to assist with search, rescue, and forensic activities.
On Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Nepal announced that the eighth Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft landed in Kathmandu, delivering 35 tons of critical relief and rescue items. This shipment is part of a concerted aid initiative that began on August 26, 2026.
The relief supplies include essential items such as temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, and necessary medicines. Moreover, India has sent advanced technical equipment to meet urgent needs on the ground, including gear for tunnel and mud rescues, such as mud rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing equipment, inflatable walkways, portable generators, and dewatering pumps. Additionally, DNA kits and materials for DNA profiling have been provided to help identify victims.
As part of the rescue efforts, an Indian tunnel rescue team has collaborated with the Nepali Army to conduct operations at two high-risk locations: Chilime and Langtang. Currently, rescue efforts are focused on the Chilime tunnel, where extreme terrain, limited access, and steep slopes pose significant challenges for rescue workers.
To navigate these difficulties, the teams are combining manual labor with innovative techniques. They are constructing a temporary access route to bring heavy machinery, like excavators, to the tunnel’s entrance. Progress on this new path is encouraging, and it is expected to be completed within two to three days.
In addition to the field operations, an Indian forensic team is working with Nepalese authorities at two laboratories in Kathmandu. With the help of the supplied DNA kits and reagents, they are conducting tests to speed up the process of identifying those lost in the disaster.
Reinforcing its long-term support, the Indian Embassy stated that India remains committed to aiding the people and government of Nepal throughout the ongoing stages of rescue, relief, and recovery.
Earlier, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs noted the formal transfer of relief supplies by Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava to Nepal’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahabir Pun, upon the arrival of the eighth IAF aircraft. The Ambassador emphasized India’s readiness to continue providing assistance as needed.
India’s relief efforts were initiated shortly after the flash floods struck in late August, with the first aircraft arriving on August 26, carrying 10 tons of supplies.
