Nepal says India has pledged generous assistance for flood reconstruction

Nepal has praised India’s assistance following devastating floods that have killed more than 600 people. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “exceptionally generous” and said New Delhi had indicated it would provide generous assistance for reconstruction

Kathmandu: Nepal on Saturday praised India’s efforts towards helping it in times of crisis, and described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “exceptionally generous”, in the wake of the devastating flood in the country that has killed more than 600.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said that New Delhi has indicated it would provide generous assistance for reconstruction.

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An ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a torrent of water, mud and debris downstream through central Nepal on Wednesday, devastating towns and villages, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaging hydropower projects.

More than 2,400 people remained missing, while nearly 2,500 people were evacuated as rescue teams raced against time amid on-and-off rainfall in the flood-affected regions.

Since Wednesday, India has dispatched 57.6 tonnes of relief material to the flood-ravaged areas of Nepal. An 11-member Indian team comprising medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts also arrived in Nepal to assist local authorities, following a request from Kathmandu.

Wagle said Nepal was dealing with the crisis “in phases.”

“The immediate priority is to rescue people who can be saved, including those stranded or trapped in hydropower plants,” said the finance minister, adding that the Nepal Army has airlifted 1,930 people.

He further said efforts were underway to airlift relief supplies to areas such as Dhunche, Rasuwa and Syaphru Besi, which had been cut off after roads were damaged.

“The next phase will focus on early recovery, including temporary shelters and cash-for-work programmes, followed by the daunting task of reconstruction,” he added.

More than 11,000 security personnel, including over 5,000 Nepal Army personnel, have been mobilised for search and rescue operations.

Asked whether Nepal would seek help from other countries, Wagle said it would, while highlighting India’s support.

“The Government of India and Prime Minister Modi have been exceptionally generous. I was in the government when the 2015 earthquake struck, and I recall the generosity of the Indian government was really noteworthy,” he said.

Wagle said special supplies had also been flown in from New Delhi following floods and that India had indicated it would provide “very generous assistance for reconstruction.”

The finance minister added, “such support has also been forthcoming from all our neighbours.”