157 killed, hundreds missing as flash floods hit Nepal & China

India delivered its first shipment of relief supplies to Nepal following devastating flash floods that swept across the Himalayan nation. The catastrophic event took the lives of 157 people and left more than 750 missing, including 133 Indian citizens. The floods, triggered by an earthquake in Tibet, ravaged central Nepal on Wednesday, destroying communities, bridges, and hydropower facilities.

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal informed Parliament about the potential cause of the floods, attributing them to a seismic event in the Tibet region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to his Nepali counterpart, Balen Shah, offering New Delhi's full support for humanitarian aid. Videos captured the destructive force of the flooding, depicting powerful currents carrying away buildings, vehicles, and a four-story structure.

Rescue operations have managed to save around 100 individuals, with 30 receiving treatment at a hospital in Kathmandu. The floods have damaged eight operational hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW, along with five under-construction projects in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts. President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan have extended their condolences to Nepalese leaders and citizens.

The External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, conveyed India's assistance through a 10-tonne humanitarian aid package and essential medicines to aid Nepal's response to the disaster.