Nepal lauds India's aid as floods kill 600 and leave thousands missing

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Aug 29, 2026 17:12 IST

Nepal on Saturday praised India for helping it during the devastating floods that have killed more than 600 people, with Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “exceptionally generous”. He said New Delhi had indicated that it would provide generous assistance for reconstruction.

The floods were triggered on Wednesday when an ice-rock avalanche after a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent water, mud and debris rushing downstream through central Nepal. The disaster devastated towns and villages, washed away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaged hydropower projects. More than 2,400 people remained missing, while nearly 2,500 were evacuated. Since Wednesday, India has sent 57.6 tonnes of relief material to the flood-hit areas, and an 11-member Indian team of medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts has arrived in Nepal after a request from Kathmandu.

Speaking to PTI Videos, 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,” he said, adding that the Nepal Army has airlifted 1,930 people.

He said efforts were also under way to airlift relief supplies to areas such as Dhunche, Rasuwa and Syaphru Besi, which have been cut off after roads were damaged. “The next phase will focus on early recovery, including temporary shelters and cash-for-work programmes, followed by the daunting task of reconstruction,” he added.

More than 11,000 security personnel, including over 5,000 Nepal Army personnel, have been mobilised for search and rescue operations as teams work in flood-affected regions amid intermittent rainfall. Asked whether Nepal would seek help from other countries, Wagle said it would, while underlining India’s support.

“The Government of India and Prime Minister Modi have been exceptionally generous. I was in the government when the 2015 earthquake struck, and I recall the generosity of the Indian government was really noteworthy,” Wagle said. He added that special supplies had also been flown in from New Delhi after the floods and that India had indicated it would provide “very generous assistance for reconstruction”. He also said “such support has also been forthcoming from all our neighbours”.

Nepal is now continuing rescue and relief work after the floods caused widespread damage across central parts of the country, while also preparing for early recovery and reconstruction with support from India and other neighbouring countries.

With PTI Inputs

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