Kathmandu, Sept 4: Neighboring China has stepped up its rescue and relief assistance following the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal thanked China for its support during a meeting with the Chinese ambassador on Thursday. He expressed gratitude for the assistance and emphasized the need for Nepal and China to work together to address natural disasters.
Noting that the floods caused damage on both sides of the Nepal-China border, Khanal said Nepal expected further Chinese assistance in affected areas. He said the search, rescue and relief of foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens caught in the floods, had been given top priority.
Chinese teams have been deployed in affected areas with rescue personnel and relief supplies. In recent days, Nepal has also received DNA identification experts and water purification equipment from China.
Following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi and Nepal-China border areas, China has expanded its relief and rescue assistance to Nepal.
On August 30, two Chinese Air Force Y-20 heavy transport aircraft arrived in Kathmandu carrying around 50 tons of emergency relief supplies, rescue equipment and a team of tunnel rescue specialists.
A second shipment arrived on September 1, carrying drones, DNA testing equipment and reagents, water purification systems and lighting equipment. Five DNA identification experts also arrived to work with Nepali authorities in disaster-affected areas.
The Chinese government has provided Nepal with $2 million in emergency flood relief, while the Chinese Red Cross has contributed an additional $200,000 to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
China has also been providing satellite and aerial imagery, as well as hydrological and meteorological information, to support Nepal’s disaster response.
On September 3, China sent a third shipment of relief supplies aboard a Y-20 military transport aircraft. A 10-member team of Chinese forensic experts also arrived as part of the fourth shipment to assist with disaster-related identification efforts.
India delivers sixth and seventh shipments of relief materials
India’s humanitarian assistance to flood-hit Nepal is continuing, with a total of 21.5 tons of relief materials delivered to Kathmandu on Thursday night through the sixth and seventh relief flights.
The latest consignments include forensic kits and medical equipment needed for ongoing search, rescue and relief operations.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X that two C-130J aircraft carrying the relief supplies had landed in Kathmandu. The materials were handed over to Nepal’s Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahabir Pun.
“Both C-130J aircraft have landed in Kathmandu carrying 21.5 tons of humanitarian assistance,” the ministry said. “The assistance was handed over to Minister Mahabir Pun and will support ongoing relief and rescue efforts in flood-affected areas.”
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said the latest assistance was part of India’s continued support following the floods and landslides in Rasuwa.
“India’s support to Nepal’s relief efforts continues following the Rasuwa floods,” Srivastava wrote on X. “The sixth and seventh flights have delivered 21.5 tons of relief materials, including forensic kits and medical supplies, to Kathmandu.”
He said the supplies had been handed over to the Nepal government and would support affected communities.
India began its relief operation shortly after the devastating floods last Wednesday. Its first relief aircraft arrived in Nepal on August 26 carrying 10 tons of supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lights and medicines.
A second aircraft arrived on August 27 with 37.5 tons of tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lights, water pumps, kitchen equipment, generators, medicines and food. A third shipment delivered another 10 tons of aid.
On August 30, a fourth aircraft arrived with 11 tons of relief supplies, along with technical search-and-rescue personnel and forensic experts for DNA analysis, as well as blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins and hygiene kits.
On September 2, India sent an 11-member rescue team, specialized equipment and 5.5 tons of essential medicines on its fifth flight.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the flood death toll had reached 1,290 as of Friday.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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