India news: India steps up efforts as hundreds missing in Nepal floods

On Thursday, India stepped up its efforts in response to the devastating Nepal floods that have left hundreds unaccounted for. External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced that a second tranche of relief supplies, weighing 37.5 tonnes, was dispatched to Nepal. This included 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief material, medicines, and food packets.

The disaster response force (NDRF) has kept teams on standby, prepared to be deployed if required. Indian Embassies in Nepal and China set up helplines to assist Indian nationals affected by the flood. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepali counterpart Balendra Shah to offer condolences for the lives lost. Over 170 Indians were unaccounted for in the Nepal-Tibet flash floods, with 177 being Indian tourists.

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal reported that over 300 Indian tourists were missing. At least 165 people have died in the floods, which hit the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday. The disaster was triggered by an avalanche blocking the flow of a tributary of the Bhotekoshi river, causing massive debris-laden water to sweep away locals, pilgrims, properties, and entire villages.