India has rescued 158 Indian nationals from flood-hit Nepal as specialised forensic and tunnel rescue teams continue search, relief and recovery operations. The MEA said Indian teams are working with Nepal Police and Nepali Army despite difficult weather and challenging access conditions.
India has rescued 158 Indian nationals from Nepal following devastating floods that struck the Himalayan country last week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday, while confirming that specialised Indian teams continue to support ongoing rescue and relief operations.
According to the MEA, as of 9 p.m. on Monday, a total of 158 Indian nationals had been rescued from areas affected by the floods. Alongside the evacuation efforts, Indian forensic experts and a specialised tunnel rescue team are continuing operations in coordination with their Nepalese counterparts.
The MEA said the Indian forensic team continued its work in Kathmandu on Monday in coordination with the Nepal Police’s Forensic Science Laboratory. The two sides discussed ways to optimise forensic protocols and documentation as part of efforts to support identification and related procedures following the disaster.
The specialised forensic team has been deployed with capabilities for DNA analysis and other technical assistance. On Sunday, India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, met and briefed the forensic team before it continued its coordination with Nepalese authorities.
Following the meeting, the Indian experts held discussions with officials from Nepal Police’s Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu and the Forensics Department of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
The MEA said these coordinated efforts are aimed at strengthening forensic procedures and assisting Nepal in dealing with the consequences of the devastating floods.
At the same time, India’s tunnel rescue team continued operations at hydropower project sites in Chilime and the Langtang area. The team is working alongside the Nepali Army to search for people who may remain trapped inside tunnels at the affected sites.
The rescue operation has faced significant challenges because of adverse weather and difficult access conditions. Despite these obstacles, the Indian team managed to establish a foothold at a tunnel in Chilime and continued preparations for deeper rescue operations.
The team also deployed safety ropes inside the tunnel to improve operational safety and facilitate further search efforts.
In Langtang, the Indian tunnel rescue personnel, working with Nepalese forces, were able to probe to a depth of 185 metres, according to Ambassador Srivastava. The search and rescue operation is expected to continue as teams work to assess conditions inside the affected tunnel structures.
The Indian tunnel rescue team had joined the Nepali Army’s search and rescue efforts on Sunday at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and the Langtang region. The deployment reflects India’s broader assistance to Nepal as the neighbouring country responds to the impact of the floods.
India has also stepped up humanitarian assistance through relief supplies and specialised equipment. The fourth Indian flight carrying emergency assistance arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday with 11 tonnes of relief material.
The MEA said the supplies were handed over to the concerned Nepalese authorities as part of India’s continuing support for communities affected by the catastrophic floods.
The latest consignment included equipment for the tunnel technical rescue team, along with supplies required by forensic experts conducting DNA analysis. Relief materials included blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits.
The assistance comes as Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of the severe flooding, with rescue agencies facing difficult terrain, disrupted access routes and challenging weather conditions in several affected areas.
| Also Read: India, Uzbekistan Agree to Bolster Trade and Investment Ties |
The MEA said Indian rescue and technical teams will continue working closely with Nepalese authorities in the coming days. The ongoing operations cover the rescue of affected people, forensic assistance and humanitarian relief, demonstrating India’s continued support for Nepal during the emergency.
