India Sends Third Relief Flight, 11-Member Rescue Team to Flood-Hit Nepal

India has expanded its relief and rescue efforts in flood-hit Nepal, sending a third Indian Air Force flight carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and deploying an 11-member team comprising medical personnel and tunnel-rescue specialists. The latest assistance comes as Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of devastating floods that have killed more than 580 people and left over 2,400 missing.

The third relief consignment was transported by an Indian Air Force C-130 aircraft. It included medicines, food supplies, portable generators, dignity kits, food packets and water-purification tablets. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal handed over the supplies to Nepal's Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahabir Pun.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed that India's 11-member medical and tunnel-rescue team has also reached Nepal. The specialised team includes doctors, paramedics and a reconnaissance unit. The team is expected to assess conditions at a hydroelectric project where workers are feared to be trapped inside a tunnel and determine the requirements for a possible rescue operation.

The deployment marks a new phase in India's assistance, with the focus moving beyond humanitarian supplies to specialised search-and-rescue operations. India launched its relief efforts on August 26, when its first aircraft delivered around 10 tonnes of emergency supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.

A second aircraft arrived on August 27 with 37.5 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, hygiene supplies, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets, generators, medicines and food. With the latest shipment, India has sent approximately 57.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Nepal. The World Health Organization has also increased its emergency response. It has released $150,000 in immediate funding and supplied emergency health materials intended to support nearly 10,000 people for three months.

The WHO has provided tents, masks, gloves and sanitiser while working with partners and Nepalese authorities to restore disrupted health services and address public-health risks in affected areas. The floods were triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, causing widespread destruction along the Bhotekoshi River area of Rasuwa.

More than 584 people have been reported dead, while over 2,400 remain missing. Those missing include hydropower workers, trekkers and pilgrims. Rescue teams have recovered hundreds of bodies, with some reportedly swept downstream into India. Satellite imagery has shown extensive damage to homes, roads and hydropower infrastructure in the affected region.

India has also offered Bailey bridges and technical teams to help Nepal restore road connectivity in areas where bridges and infrastructure have been destroyed. The Ministry of External Affairs has proposed sending National Disaster Response Force teams equipped with specialised rescue equipment to assist Nepal's ongoing operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah of India's full support and assistance as rescue and relief efforts continue.

At least 320 Indian nationals remain uncontactable in Nepal. Several groups of pilgrims have been rescued and brought back safely, while the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu continues to coordinate with Nepalese authorities and assist stranded Indians through emergency helplines. As rescue operations continue, authorities are focusing on locating missing people, reaching isolated communities and restoring essential infrastructure in the worst-hit areas. India's expanded deployment is expected to provide additional medical and technical capacity to Nepal's ongoing disaster response.