IAF Readies Relief Mission for Flood-Hit Nepal
C-130 and C-17 aircraft placed on standby as India prepares relief supplies, medicines and rescue equipment
- IAF is prepared for relief and rescue operations in Nepal.
- A C-130 aircraft is scheduled to depart Wednesday, followed by a C-17 on Thursday.
- Aircraft will carry relief material, medicines and earth-moving equipment.
- More than 100 Indians are reportedly among those missing in the affected areas.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th Aug: The Indian Air Force has placed its aircraft on standby for relief and rescue operations in Nepal following devastating flash floods that have killed at least 46 people and left hundreds missing, Ministry of Defence sources said on Wednesday.
India is preparing to send relief material to the neighbouring country at the earliest. An IAF C-130 aircraft is scheduled to leave for Nepal on Wednesday, while a C-17 aircraft is expected to depart on Thursday afternoon carrying relief supplies, medicines and earth-moving equipment.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been kept on standby for any relief and rescue mission that may be assigned by the government.
The flash floods, triggered by floodwaters from the Tibetan side of the border, have caused extensive damage in Nepal’s Nuwakot and Dhading districts. Several villages, settlements, roads and bridges have been washed away, while hydropower projects and other infrastructure have also suffered damage.
The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster response personnel to assist with rescue and assessment operations.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers are reported missing from the affected areas, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. Among the foreign nationals reported missing are 105 Indians and 37 NRIs.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal has issued emergency contact numbers to assist Indian nationals and their families seeking information.
India’s preparations come amid a broader humanitarian response as rescue teams in Nepal continue efforts to reach affected communities and assess the scale of damage caused by the floods.
