India has stepped up its humanitarian support to Nepal following the devastating flash floods, delivering more than 130 tonnes of relief material and deploying 54 expert personnel to assist in search, rescue, and forensic operations.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), an eighth Indian Air Force aircraft carrying 35 tonnes of supplies landed in Kathmandu on Wednesday, marking the latest consignment in the aid effort that began on August 26, 2026.
The relief package includes specialised technical gear such as mud rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing apparatus, inflatable walkways, portable generators, lighting towers, and dewatering pumps. India has also provided DNA kits, reagents, and profiling equipment to support victim identification.
Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Nepal confirmed that Ambassador Naveen Srivastava formally handed over the consignment to Nepal’s Minister Mahabir Pun upon the aircraft’s arrival.
The MEA further noted that India’s specialised tunnel rescue team continues joint operations with the Nepali Army at two high‑risk sites in Chilime and Langtang. Search efforts are currently concentrated at the Chilime tunnel, where teams face severe challenges due to rugged terrain, limited access, and steep tunnel gradients.
To overcome these hurdles, workers are constructing a makeshift access track to transport heavy machinery, including excavators, directly to the tunnel entrance. The track is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed within two to three days.
