Nepal praises India’s flood relief

Nepal on Saturday praised India’s efforts towards helping it in times of crisis, and described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “exceptionally generous”, in the wake of the devastating flood in the country that has killed more than 600.

Speaking to Videos, Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said that New Delhi has indicated it would provide generous assistance for reconstruction.

An ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a torrent of water, mud and debris downstream through central Nepal on Wednesday, devastating towns and villages, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaging hydropower projects. More than 2,400 people remained missing, while nearly 2,500 people were evacuated as rescue teams raced against time amid on-and-off rainfall in the flood-affected regions. Since Wednesday, India has dispatched 57.6 tonnes of relief material to the flood-ravaged areas of Nepal. An 11-member Indian team comprising medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts also arrived in Nepal to assist local authorities, following a request from Kathmandu.

Wagle said Nepal was dealing with the crisis “in phases.” “The immediate priority is to rescue people who can be saved, including those stranded or trapped in hydropower plants,” said the finance minister, adding that the Nepal Army has airlifted 1,930 people.

He further said efforts were underway to airlift relief supplies to areas such as Dhunche, Rasuwa and Syaphru Besi, which had been cut off after roads were damaged.