Daijiworld Media Network - Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Aug 30: The Indian tunnel rescue team on Sunday joined the Nepali Army in conducting search and rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in the Chilime and Langtang areas, the Indian Embassy in Nepal said.
“The tunnel rescue team from India worked with the Nepali Army's team to conduct search and rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang area today. The team will continue to conduct search and rescue operations in close coordination with the Nepali Army,” the Indian Embassy said in a post on X.
The Indian team was able to enter a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project and retrieve the mortal remains of one person despite inclement weather, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
“The tunnel rescue operations team continued its work today and supplemented the search and rescue efforts of the Nepali Army at hydropower sites in Chilime and Langtang. The team was able to enter a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project, and retrieve the mortal remains of one person, in spite of inclement weather,” the MEA said.
The team will continue its support operations near the Langtang hydroelectric project, it added.
Meanwhile, a 19-member specialised Indian forensics team began functioning in Kathmandu on Sunday to assist in the identification of mortal remains of victims of the devastating floods.
According to the MEA, the team will augment the analysis of DNA samples in Nepal for identification of the victims.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava met and briefed the forensics team. The team subsequently held discussions with counterparts at the Nepal Police's Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu and the Forensics Department of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
The MEA also said that as of 9.30 pm on Sunday, 403 Indian nationals had safely crossed into Nepal from China, citing local government sources on the China side.
Another 500 Indian nationals remain on the China side and are safe, the ministry said.
Earlier in the day, the fourth Indian flight carrying assistance for people affected by the catastrophic floods arrived in Kathmandu.
“The fourth flight carrying 11 tonnes of relief supplies has arrived in Nepal, with the materials handed over to the concerned authorities as part of ongoing support following the devastating floods,” the MEA said.
The consignment included a tunnel technical team equipped with search-and-rescue equipment, a team of forensic experts for DNA analysis, and relief supplies comprising blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits.