Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India too is worried about the crisis in Nepal and that relief material is being sent to the flood-ravaged country.
The death toll from flash floods in Nepal reached 669 on Saturday, while nearly 2,000 people are still missing.
Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Singh said, “It is not only Nepal that is concerned about the crisis that has arisen there, India too is concerned. Our prime minister has said India is ready to provide whatever assistance is required. Relief material from here is being sent to the flood-ravaged country.”
An ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a torrent of water, mud and debris downstream, wiping out towns and villages, damaging crucial infrastructure and washing away hydropower stations through central Nepal on Wednesday.
Rescuers are working round the clock, braving rain in some places and digging through drying mud in others in their search for those missing.
India on Friday dispatched a third tranche of 10 tonnes of relief supplies to Nepal, alongside an 11-member team of doctors and paramedics, as well as a reconnaissance crew to assess tunnel-rescue operations.
New Delhi had dispatched 10 tonnes of HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) materials to the neighbouring country on Wednesday, while another consignment of 37.5 tonnes of relief supplies was sent on Thursday.
“A third flight carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance has departed for Kathmandu. The assistance includes portable generator sets, dignity kits, food packets and water purification tablets,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
“An 11-member team of doctors, paramedics and recce team for tunnel rescue operations is also on-board. India continues to support Nepal’s ongoing relief and rescue efforts,” he said on social media.
The first tranche of relief materials was sent hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart, Balendra Shah, on Wednesday and assured him of all possible humanitarian assistance to deal with the situation.
“The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” Modi had said on social media after the conversation.
“India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts,” he had said.
The relief supplies include emergency items, such as temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.
