Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has thanked India, China, the United States and other countries for their support following the devastating flash floods that hit Nepal on August 26.
Addressing Parliament, Shah said international assistance had played an important role in rescue and relief operations across the disaster-hit areas. He said 11,993 people had been rescued so far, while authorities had still been unable to establish contact with at least 3,916 people.
The flash floods caused widespread destruction in several parts of Nepal, damaging roads, bridges, settlements and hydropower infrastructure. Rescue teams have been working in difficult mountainous terrain as authorities continue efforts to locate missing people and recover those affected by the disaster.
Shah specifically acknowledged the assistance provided by India and China. India sent emergency relief material, specialised rescue teams and technical support to Nepal. Indian teams have also been involved in search and rescue operations around hydropower tunnels and in forensic work linked to the large number of casualties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier spoken to Shah following the disaster and assured Nepal of India's full support and all possible humanitarian assistance. According to the report, India was also the first country to physically deliver aid to Nepal after the disaster.
China has continued rescue and recovery efforts on its side of the border. Beijing also reopened the damaged G216 highway leading towards the Gyirong border crossing, allowing heavy machinery, specialist teams and other equipment to reach areas that had been difficult to access after the floods.
The disaster has also triggered a wider discussion about climate change and the responsibilities of major countries. Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal recently called for a shift from traditional humanitarian assistance towards what he described as “climate compensation”.
Khanal argued that Nepal contributes very little to global greenhouse gas emissions but is facing serious consequences from changes in the Himalayan environment. He said major emitters, including India, China and the United States, should consider the growing climate-related risks faced by vulnerable countries such as Nepal.
The floods have also affected neighbouring Tibet, where Chinese state media reported 21 confirmed deaths and 541 people still missing.
In Nepal, the reported death toll has crossed 1,100, with thousands still missing after the Himalayan disaster. Rescue and relief operations remain underway as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction.
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