PM Modi Speaks With Nepal’s Balen Shah, Assures ‘All Possible’ Aid Amid Devastating Floods
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured India’s full support as the neighbouring country grapples with devastating flash floods that have claimed at least 19 lives and caused widespread destruction.
Expressing solidarity with the people of Nepal, PM Modi said India is prepared to provide every possible form of humanitarian assistance and that Indian teams are coordinating with authorities on rescue and relief operations.
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” Modi said in a post on X.
He added that India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance and that teams from both countries are working together on rescue and relief efforts.
Hundreds Reported Missing
The scale of the disaster remains unclear as rescue teams continue to search affected areas. Officials said 384 tourists, including 291 foreign nationals, have been reported missing following the flash floods. Those among the missing reportedly include travellers from India, the US, the UK and Malaysia.
Rasuwa district has emerged as one of the worst-hit areas. The region experienced a similar disaster last year when a glacial lake in neighbouring Tibet overflowed amid unusually high temperatures, killing nine people and damaging key infrastructure, including a bridge linking Nepal and China.
Villages Swept Away
Dramatic images released by Nepal Police show powerful torrents of water rushing through rivers and sweeping away homes and other structures.
In some areas, only the upper portions of buildings could be seen above layers of mud and debris, highlighting the force of the flooding.
The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster-response teams to assist with search-and-rescue operations, while authorities are working to assess the damage and reach isolated communities.
Power Infrastructure Severely Damaged
The disaster has also dealt a major blow to Nepal’s electricity infrastructure.
The Nepal Electricity Authority said around 430 MW of power-generation capacity, including hydropower and solar facilities, has been damaged. Electricity supplies have been disrupted after damage was reported to generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Several major highways have also been shut, making movement and rescue operations more challenging.
The disaster comes during South Asia’s annual monsoon season, when heavy rainfall frequently triggers floods and landslides. Scientists have increasingly warned that climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense extreme-weather events.
As Nepal begins the difficult task of rescuing those still missing and restoring damaged infrastructure, India’s offer of assistance adds another layer of regional support to the ongoing emergency response.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
