MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while providing an update on the safety of Indian nationals, said that 1,907 Indians have safely crossed into Nepal from China. He added that, according to official sources in China, no Indian travellers remain stranded in the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
The three Indians rescued from Trishuli Bazaar since Friday were identified as Abhijit Suresh Pawar, Dipika Abhijit Pawar and five-year-old Samarth Abhijit Pawar. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is facilitating their return flight home, Jaiswal said.
India has supplied around 95 tonnes of relief material to Nepal since flash floods struck the country on August 26. The material was transported on seven aircraft as part of India's ongoing relief and rescue assistance.
Jaiswal said India has also deployed 54 personnel to support relief and rescue operations in Nepal. The team comprises 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts and a five-member medical team. The rescue and forensic teams are deployed on the ground and are working closely with Nepalese authorities.
The first tranche of relief material was sent by India hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah on August 26, the day the flash floods struck the Himalayan nation. Modi assured Shah of all possible humanitarian assistance to deal with the situation.
India is expected to continue providing assistance according to the requirements of the Nepalese government. Jaiswal said more forensic kits, Bailey bridges and other materials requested by Nepal would also be sent.
Meanwhile, the search for missing nationals continues as the death toll from the floods has risen to at least 1,295 after rescue workers recovered more bodies from affected areas, according to Nepalese authorities.
Emergency teams have rescued more than 12,000 people, while roughly 5,000 remain missing as search and rescue operations continue. "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," he added.
The floods have damaged 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and 40 km of black-topped roads, mainly in central Nepal, according to local authorities.
Jaiswal said India responded promptly to the flash floods and will continue supporting reconstruction and recovery efforts in Nepal.
Addressing a question on climate change in the context of the Nepal floods, Jaiswal said India has consistently maintained that climate change is a common challenge and that action 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.
With 169 Indian nationals rescued, 275 still missing and large-scale relief operations continuing, Indian authorities remain in close coordination with Nepalese officials as rescue, forensic and recovery efforts continue.
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