Nepal Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah has thanked India, China and the United States for providing timely assistance after devastating flash floods along the Bhotkoshi River left more than 1,200 people dead and thousands missing.
Addressing Parliament, Shah said emergency teams and relief supplies from neighbouring countries and other nations had played an important role in the response to the disaster, which swept through villages and damaged roads, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure across several districts.
The death toll rose to 1,204 by Wednesday evening, while more than 4,200 people remained unaccounted for as rescue and recovery operations continued. Among those missing are 275 Indian pilgrims and tourists.
“In these difficult times, we got support from various countries, including India, China, the US, and others,” Shah told lawmakers, also acknowledging assistance from financial institutions.
Nepal Seeks International Support
Shah’s remarks came days after Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Nepal was seeking a new international approach to climate-related disasters, including compensation from major greenhouse-gas emitters.
Kathmandu has also begun diplomatic efforts to secure additional financial assistance for reconstruction and recovery. Khanal said such support should be viewed as a matter of “moral liability” rather than charity, arguing that vulnerable countries should not be left to bear the financial burden of climate-driven disasters alone.
India Steps Up Relief Operations
India has been among the first countries to provide emergency assistance to flood-hit Nepal.
Since August 26, New Delhi has sent multiple consignments of relief material, including blankets, sleeping bags, heavy-duty tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits. Indian Air Force aircraft have conducted several sorties to deliver supplies to affected areas.
The assistance has also included essential medicines, food packets, solar lamps, water-purification tablets and portable generators.
India has deployed specialised rescue teams and equipment to support Nepal’s relief operations, including efforts around damaged hydropower tunnels. Indian teams have also assisted with forensic procedures related to the identification and handling of victims and missing persons.
China Helps Reopen Key Border Route
China has also been involved in rescue and recovery efforts on the Tibet side of the border.
Beijing has reopened the main road leading to the Gyirong border crossing after sections were destroyed by the floods. The reopening has enabled heavy machinery and other equipment to reach the disaster-hit region, providing a crucial boost to ongoing recovery operations.
With thousands still missing and extensive damage reported across the affected districts, Nepal continues to rely on international assistance as search, rescue and rehabilitation efforts move forward.
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