India Steps Up Flood Relief in Nepal: IAF C-130 Aircraft Delivers 10 Tonnes of Aid as Death Toll Crosses 626

As catastrophic flash floods triggered by overflowing rivers in the border areas of Nepal and Tibet leave a trail of unprecedented destruction, India has swiftly escalated its humanitarian assistance. With the death toll surging to at least 626 and thousands reported missing, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed a C-130J transport aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of vital relief materials, emergency medical supplies, and food packets to support disaster-hit communities in Nepal.

IAF Relief Operations and 11-Member Expert Team Deployed

Demonstrating robust regional solidarity, India’s disaster response has moved into high gear. Following a formal request from the Kathmandu government, an 11-member Indian disaster response team—comprising specialized medical personnel and advanced tunnel rescue experts—arrived in Nepal on Saturday to assist local authorities in complex subterranean search and rescue operations.

The Indian Air Force has further intensified its logistical pipeline, ensuring a continuous supply of humanitarian aid using heavy-lift C-17 Globemaster and C-130 aircraft. Additionally, in response to Nepal's appeal, India and China have been requested to supply 42 portable Bailey bridges to rapidly restore shattered road networks and transport connectivity across vulnerable terrain.

Evacuation of Indian Nationals and Ongoing Search Efforts

While local security forces lead the ground rescue operations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is closely monitoring the safety of Indian citizens trapped in the disaster zones. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that 84 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated, including 63 crew members from the Trishuli-1 project and 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who successfully arrived in Delhi. Furthermore, 149 Indians crossed into the Nepal border from Tibet, while approximately 400 others remain safe near the Chinese border.

However, rescue and tracking operations remain challenging. Authorities reported that 320 Indian citizens and around 100 persons of Indian origin holding foreign passports remained unreachable as of Friday evening. While no Indian casualties have been officially confirmed thus far, Indian diplomatic missions are working round-the-clock with Nepalese authorities to locate missing persons and provide continuous support.