Nature has wreaked havoc in the neighboring country Nepal. Torrential monsoon rains for several consecutive days and subsequent devastating floods and landslides have caused massive devastation in many parts of the Himalayan country. Many rivers are flowing above the danger mark, bridges have been washed away, major highways have been cut off and thousands of people left homeless. In this hour of humanitarian crisis, India has once again set an example of its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and unbreakable friendship and has started relief and rescue operations on a rapid scale. In this hour of crisis, a special transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has landed at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu carrying relief material and emergency medical aid. Along with this, 166 Indian citizens stranded in various affected areas have been rescued and evacuated safely. First consignment of 5.5 tonnes of emergency life-saving medicines and relief material: In view of the dire situation and the appeal of international assistance by the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defense of the Government of India coordinated in mission mode. A special Indian Air Force aircraft arrived in Kathmandu from Hindon airbase carrying 5.5 tonnes of vital medical supplies, antibiotics, painkillers, ORS packets, water purification tablets and surgical materials. The risk of spread of water-borne diseases like diarrhea, cholera and skin infections is highest in flood affected areas. The Indian Embassy officials duly handed over this medical consignment to the health and relief officials of Nepal at the airport, so that it could be immediately transported to the remote sensitive areas. Rescue of 166 Indians trapped in landslides and floods rescued. Due to heavy rains and landslides, many Indian pilgrims, tourists and professionals were stranded in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and the hilly roads adjacent to the border. People lost contact with their families due to breakdown of roads and disruption of mobile networks. Indian Embassy set up 24×7 emergency helpline center in Kathmandu. 166 Indian nationals were safely rescued from high-risk areas by the Indian Air Force and local helicopters with the help of special rescue teams and local Nepali administration. The evacuated people were provided first aid, food and arrangements to stay at safe places from where they are being flown back to India. According to Nepal's Hydrology and Meteorology Department, such torrential rains have been recorded after several decades. Major rivers like Bagmati, Kosi, Narayani and Gandak are in spate, completely submerging low-lying residential areas. Many parts of Kathmandu are submerged in water and several main connectivity routes, including the Prithvi Highway connecting the capital with the rest of the country, are blocked by falling stones and debris. Nepal Police and Army teams are continuously transporting people to safe places through boats and helicopters, but bad weather is continuously hindering the rescue work. 'Neighbourhood First': India has always been the first responder in crisis. India and Nepal have a centuries-old 'Roti-Beti' and cultural relationship. Even during the devastating earthquake of 2015, India was the first country to immediately send NDRF teams, field hospitals and tons of relief material under 'Operation Maitri'. This time too, the Government of India has made it clear that India is fully committed to providing all possible humanitarian, technical and logistical assistance to the people of Nepal to rescue them from this natural disaster. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the situation is being constantly reviewed and additional consignments of relief material and rescue equipment will be sent immediately if required. High alert in the border districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The direct impact of continuous rains in the hills of Nepal is also being seen in the border states of India Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Due to excess water being released from the rivers of Nepal, there is a danger of flood in the Terai areas of Supaul, Madhubani, West Champaran of Bihar and Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri and Maharajganj of Uttar Pradesh. The local administration has activated flood control rooms to monitor the water level of the rivers and teams of NDRF and SDRF have been deployed on alert mode.
