From Medicines To Rescue Teams: India’s 5th Nepal Aid Mission As Toll Hits 1,127

India has intensified its humanitarian response to Nepal’s devastating flash floods, sending a fifth tranche of relief supplies and a specialised rescue team on Wednesday as the death toll from the disaster climbed to 1,127.

The latest Indian mission is carrying 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines and an 11-member rescue team equipped with specialised equipment, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said. The latest shipment takes India’s total relief supplies sent to flood-hit Nepal to 68.5 tonnes. New Delhi has also deployed doctors, paramedics and technical personnel to support search-and-rescue operations.

India’s relief effort began within hours of the disaster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah on August 26, the day the floods struck, and assured him of all possible humanitarian assistance.

The scale of the catastrophe remains staggering. Nepal Police said 4,858 people are still missing, while thousands have been rescued. Chitwan recorded the highest number of recovered bodies at 348, followed by Nawalparasi East with 217, Nawalparasi West with 190 and Nuwakot with 155. Authorities have completed identification procedures for 1,113 bodies, while details of 911 unidentified bodies have been uploaded online to help families trace missing relatives.

The floods have also caused extensive infrastructure damage, affecting 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 km of roads, making relief access harder.

India’s support extends beyond supplies. A 19-member Indian forensic team is helping with DNA identification, while a specialised tunnel rescue team continues operations at Chilime despite difficult terrain and restricted access.

Meanwhile, the emergency remains active. The Sun Koshi, Budhi Gandaki and Mahakali rivers have crossed alert levels, while the Marsyangdi remains above the danger mark, raising fears of further flooding as the monsoon continues.