New Delhi: Three more Indians, including a five-year-old boy, have been pulled to safety from the flood-ravaged Trishuli Bazaar stretch in Nepal, lifting the total number of Indian evacuees to 169 even as 275 nationals from India are still unaccounted for, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, PTI reported.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, updating reporters on the wider safety picture, said 1,907 Indian citizens have already made their way across the border into Nepal from China.
Rescued Family, Evacuation Underway
The three nationals brought out of Trishuli Bazaar since Friday have been named as Abhijit Suresh Pawar, Dipika Abhijit Pawar and their five-year-old son, Samarth Abhijit Pawar, Jaiswal said, adding that the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is arranging their flight back home.
Nepalese authorities put the death toll from the deluge at at least 1,295, after more bodies were recovered from the worst-hit zones.
While emergency crews have rescued more than 12,000 people, around 5,000 are still missing as search and rescue teams continue to comb through debris and mud.
“As per our information, 275 Indian nationals remain missing. We continue to be in close touch with the Nepali government,” Jaiswal said at his regular media briefing.
“We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Nepalese authorities in this regard.” Jaiswal said 169 Indian nationals have been rescued and 1,907 Indians have safely crossed into Nepal from China.
“As per official sources in China, there are no Indian travellers who are stranded in the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China,” Jaiswal noted.
More Aid, Teams On Ground
The MEA spokesperson said India will keep extending help to Nepal in line with what the government there asks for.
“We do plan to send more forensic kits, Bailey bridges and other materials that are requested by the government of Nepal,” he said.
He said India has so far dispatched about 95 tonnes of relief supplies to Nepal after the flash floods struck on August 26.
“In addition to the relief material, we have also sent 54 personnel to support relief and rescue efforts in Nepal. This comprises 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts, and a five-member medical team. Our rescue and forensic teams are deployed on the ground, and they are working closely with the Nepalese authorities,” he said.
The first batch of relief shipments left India within hours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s phone call with Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah on August 26, the day the flash floods hit the Himalayan nation.
Modi had assured Shah of all possible humanitarian assistance to deal with the situation.
Local authorities said the floods have wrecked 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and about 40 km of black-topped roads, mostly in central Nepal.
Jaiswal said India moved quickly after the flash floods in Nepal and will keep backing reconstruction and recovery work in the country.
‘Developed Nations Must Lead’ On Climate
Asked about climate change in the context of the Nepal floods, Jaiswal said India has consistently maintained that it is a common challenge, and action in this regard must be based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
“Developed countries who historically are responsible for the emissions and have contributed overwhelmingly to this crisis, must take lead in reducing emissions and supporting developing countries by way of finance and technology transfer to meet this challenge,” he added.
