NEW DELHI. India has intensified its humanitarian assistance to Nepal in the wake of devastating flash floods, delivering over 130 tonnes of relief material and deploying 54 expert personnel to support search, rescue, and forensic operations. The Indian Embassy in Nepal said yesterday that an eighth Indian Air Force aircraft carrying 35 tonnes of relief and rescue supplies landed in Kathmandu, marking the latest shipment in a continuous aid effort launched on August 26, 2026.
India has also dispatched specialised technical gear, including mud rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing apparatus, inflatable walkways, portable generators, lighting towers, and dewatering pumps. India has provided DNA kits, reagents, and equipment for DNA profiling to aid in victim identification.
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs also noted the handing over of the relief aid by Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava to Nepal’s Minister Mahabir Pun upon the arrival of the eighth aircraft.
Meanwhile, India’s specialised tunnel rescue team initially launched joint operations with the Nepali Army across two high-risk sites in Chilime and Langtang. Search efforts are currently concentrated at the Chilime tunnel, where rescue workers face severe operational hurdles due to rugged terrain, constrained access, and steep tunnel inclines. Teams are currently constructing a makeshift access path to transport heavy machinery, such as excavators, directly to the tunnel entrance. Construction on the track is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed within two to three days.
