Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah has thanked India, China and the United States for their assistance following the devastating flash floods in the Bhotkoshi River region that have killed more than 1,200 people.
Addressing Parliament, Shah said international support arrived during a critical period as Nepal continued rescue and recovery operations across areas severely affected by the floods. Villages, roads and power infrastructure were swept away in the disaster, which affected at least three districts.
The latest figures put the death toll at 1,204, while more than 4,200 people remain unaccounted for. Among those missing are 275 Indian pilgrims and tourists.
Shah said Nepal received emergency assistance from several countries as well as financial support from various institutions, helping authorities respond to the scale of the devastation.
India’s Rapid Relief Operation
India was among the first countries to respond with emergency supplies and specialised assistance.
Since August 26, India has delivered at least five consignments of relief material to flood-hit areas. The supplies have included blankets, sleeping bags, heavy-duty tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits, along with medicines, food packets, solar lamps, water purification tablets and portable generators.
The Indian Air Force has carried out multiple sorties to transport the emergency material to Nepal.
India has also deployed specialised rescue teams and equipment to assist Nepali authorities in challenging operations around hydropower tunnels. Additional personnel have been involved in forensic work related to the identification and handling of victims and efforts to trace missing people.
China has also been involved in rescue and recovery operations on the Tibet side of the border. Beijing has worked to restore access to the Gyirong border crossing, the main overland route between Tibet and Nepal, after sections of the road were destroyed by the floods.
The reopening of the route has enabled heavy equipment and machinery to move towards the worst-affected areas, supporting ongoing recovery operations.
Nepal’s gratitude comes as Kathmandu seeks broader international assistance following the disaster. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said the country intends to push for climate-linked compensation from major greenhouse gas emitters, arguing that support following climate-related disasters should be viewed as a responsibility rather than charity.
The devastating floods have therefore triggered not only an urgent humanitarian response but also renewed debate over climate vulnerability, international responsibility and Nepal’s ability to prepare for increasingly extreme weather events.
