The 11 rescue experts who reached Nepal from India today have moved close to Trishuli Bazaar along with specialized equipment. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that they are expected to commence their work from tomorrow in coordination with the Nepali Army.
India continues to offer rescue and relief assistance to Nepal, with a fifth Indian Air Force flight carrying humanitarian assistance reaching Kathmandu today. It carried about 5.5 tonnes of medical supplies, including antibiotics, analgesics, surgical items and other essential medicines. This flight also carried the 11-member specialized team with more than 6 tonnes of rescue equipment. External Affairs Ministry said that with the latest tranche of assistance, India has delivered around 74 tonnes of relief assistance to Nepal to date.
Rescue operations in the wake of devastating floods in Nepal have continued. So far, 166 Indian nationals have been rescued, including three individuals today. A total of 410 Indian nationals who were visiting Tibet Autonomous Region for pilgrimage or other activities have left China today.
The Ministry informed that the Indian tunnel rescue team moved its base to Syabrubesi from Trishuli, which will help reduce the time taken to travel to Chilime, where the rescue operations are taking place. The team continued its search operations in Chilime in collaboration with the Nepali Army. Amidst deep slush and blockages inside the tunnel, the team was able to move forward by about 100 metres today. To ensure expedited progress, the possibility of an improvised road approach to the tunnel was explored so that more heavy equipment could be used for search and rescue.
Meanwhile, the forensics team from India is now working in two laboratories in Kathmandu for the examination and analysis of DNA samples in collaboration with experts from Nepal.
