India rushes medicines and relief supplies to flood-hit Nepal
India has sent emergency assistance to Nepal after severe flooding along areas bordering Tibet caused widespread damage and left hundreds of people missing.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft had transported 10 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and essential medicines. The consignment included temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medical supplies.
Jaishankar said India stood with Nepal and those affected by the disaster.
Nepal’s Foreign Affairs Minister Shisir Khanal thanked India for the rapid assistance, describing the supplies as important to ongoing relief operations.
An Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft was also scheduled to transport another consignment of relief material on Thursday morning. An NDRF rescue team was being kept ready in case Nepal requested its deployment.
Rescue operations have been complicated by damaged roads and bridges, disrupted communications and dangerously high water levels in affected areas.