Rajnath Singh calls India-Nepal ‘sukh, dukh ke saathi’, assures support as flood toll hits 903

New Delhi: Nepal’s deadly floods have killed more than 900 people and left another 4,247 missing, as rescue operations entered their sixth day amid difficult weather and terrain conditions. Against the backdrop of the mounting humanitarian crisis, the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, on Monday visited the Nepal embassy in New Delhi, conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and assured Kathmandu of India’s continued support for search, rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

During his visit, Singh wrote a message in the condolence book, describing India and Nepal as close friends and partners who stand together in times of both happiness and sorrow. “As a close friend and partner, and ‘Sukh Dukh Ke Saathi‘ (companion through happiness and sorrow), India has always stood by Nepal,” Singh wrote, adding that India would continue to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the Nepali people during the crisis.

The Kathmandu Post, citing the NDRRMA’s latest update, reported that 10,451 people have been rescued so far, while the disaster has claimed 903 lives and left 4,247 people unaccounted for.

The flash floods struck the Himalayan region on August 26 after a glacier collapse triggered a sudden and massive surge in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district, which borders Tibet. The resulting floods and mudslides caused widespread destruction, leaving large numbers of people stranded or unaccounted for.

Rescue teams in Nepal and China have been battling mud, swollen rivers and the risk posed by newly formed lakes while continuing the search for those still missing. Difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions have further complicated efforts to reach affected areas and locate survivors.

India has meanwhile stepped up its humanitarian response in Nepal, sending relief supplies along with specialized teams and equipment to support ongoing search and rescue operations. The assistance includes a specialized tunnel technical contingent deployed for rescue operations, as well as a team of forensic experts helping identify victims through DNA analysis.

403 Indians enter Nepal from China

Meanwhile, 403 Indian nationals safely crossed into Nepal from China on Sunday, while around 500 Indians remained in China and were reported to be safe, according to the external ministry.

The MEA also said a 19-member specialized forensic team from India had begun work in Kathmandu to assist Nepal with the analysis of DNA samples and identification of mortal remains. The team was briefed by India’s ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, and subsequently held discussions with officials at the Nepal Police’s central forensic science laboratory and the forensics department of Tribhuvan university teaching hospital in Kathmandu.

As earlier reported by RNA Media, India’s specialized tunnel rescue team is also continuing operations alongside the Nepali Army at hydropower project sites in the Chilime and Langtang areas. The team managed to enter a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project despite difficult weather conditions and recovered the mortal remains of one person. It has continued its search and rescue efforts in the area.

India has so far provided 68.5 tonnes of relief material and deployed specialized technical teams, forensic experts and equipment to support Nepal’s rescue and relief operations.