New Delhi: The people of India stand in solidarity with Nepal during the difficult time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday after an avalanche of ice and rock triggered massive flash floods across parts of the neighbouring country, leaving at least 19 people dead and causing widespread damage to villages and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Modi said he spoke with his Nepali counterpart, Balendra Shah, and conveyed condolences over the loss of lives. He assured Nepal that India would provide all possible humanitarian assistance and said Indian teams were coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is also fully prepared to undertake relief and rescue operations in Nepal, Ministry of Defence sources said. India is preparing to send relief supplies after the devastating floods reportedly killed at least 46 people and left hundreds missing.
More than 100 Indians have also been reported missing from the affected areas.
India is preparing to dispatch relief material at the earliest. The IAF has placed C-17 and C-130 aircraft on standby, with the planes carrying relief supplies, medicines and earth-moving equipment as part of the proposed relief mission.
According to Ministry of Defence sources, a C-130 aircraft will leave for Nepal on Wednesday, while a C-17 aircraft is scheduled to depart on Thursday afternoon, reported NDTV. The aircraft will be deployed as part of India’s relief and rescue efforts in the flood-hit country.
Prime Minister Modi said India remains ready to extend every possible assistance to Nepal as rescue and relief operations continue.