India’s First Relief Consignment for Bhotekoshi Flood Victims Arrives in Kathmandu, 10 Tonnes Delivered by C-130J Aircraft
Dragon Media Correspondent
India’s first consignment of humanitarian assistance for people affected by the devastating Bhotekoshi flood arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday night. An Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft delivered around 10 tonnes of relief supplies and essential medical materials to Tribhuvan International Airport.
An earlier plan had envisaged the arrival of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft on Thursday morning. However, India accelerated the relief operation and dispatched the first consignment to Kathmandu on Wednesday night using a C-130J aircraft.
The Indian Air Force aircraft flew from Hindon Air Force Station in India carrying the relief materials, which were handed over to the Nepali side at Tribhuvan International Airport.
The first consignment included around 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, disaster relief supplies and essential medicines. The materials included temporary shelter items, blankets, sanitation supplies, solar lamps and various medicines.
India has also indicated that additional humanitarian assistance could be mobilized in coordination with the Government of Nepal and according to needs in the affected areas. Indian Air Force transport aircraft may be used for further relief and rescue support if required.
Earlier on Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Balendra Shah and expressed sorrow over the heavy human losses caused by the disaster. He said India was ready to provide necessary assistance to Nepal during the crisis. The first relief consignment arrived in Kathmandu only hours later.
The sudden flood that swept through the Bhotekoshi and into the Trishuli river system on Wednesday morning caused extensive human and physical losses in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and surrounding areas. Search, rescue, medical treatment and relief operations are continuing in the affected region.
The first Indian relief consignment is expected to support the immediate supply of medicines, temporary shelter materials and other basic necessities for flood-affected communities.
With the arrival of the C-130J aircraft on Wednesday night, the earlier preliminary plan for the first relief flight to arrive on Thursday morning aboard a C-17 Globemaster III was effectively revised.
