New Delhi, Aug 2026 : India has further stepped up its humanitarian assistance to flood-hit Nepal, with the fourth Indian relief flight landing in Kathmandu on Sunday carrying essential supplies, specialised personnel and technical equipment for ongoing rescue and relief operations.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the Indian Air Force C-130 aircraft delivered additional assistance aimed at strengthening Nepal’s search, rescue and relief efforts following the devastating floods that have affected several parts of the Himalayan nation.
“The fourth Indian flight has touched down in Kathmandu. It brings essential supplies and technical capabilities to support Nepal’s ongoing rescue & relief operations,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
The latest consignment includes about 11 tonnes of assistance. According to the External Affairs Minister, the C-130 aircraft transported a specialised technical contingent equipped to undertake search and rescue operations. A team of forensic experts and equipment required for DNA analysis were also sent to Nepal as part of the mission.
The aircraft additionally carried a range of humanitarian supplies required by people affected by the floods. These included blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits.
India’s assistance has extended beyond immediate relief supplies, with New Delhi also helping Nepal restore critical infrastructure damaged by the floods. Jaishankar said 16 trucks carrying equipment for the construction of a 230-foot Single Lane Modular Steel Bridge had already reached Nepal.
Equipment required for installing seven additional Bailey bridges will also be supplied shortly, while technical teams involved in bridge construction are expected to reach Nepal soon. The infrastructure support is aimed at restoring connectivity in areas where roads and bridges have been damaged or washed away by floodwaters.
With the latest shipment, India has so far airlifted 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Kathmandu. The assistance has included essential medicines, food packets, portable generator sets, water purification tablets and specialised technical equipment.
“Our support to the relief and rescue efforts of Nepal continues,” Jaishankar said, reaffirming India’s commitment to assisting its neighbouring country during the crisis.
India began its emergency relief operation for Nepal earlier this week. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the first assistance arrived on Wednesday when an IAF C-130J Hercules aircraft transported around 10 tonnes of emergency relief material.
That initial consignment included temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines intended to provide immediate assistance to communities affected by the floods.
On Thursday, India sent another major shipment through an IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The aircraft transported 37.5 tonnes of relief material, including 28.5 tonnes of tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets and generator sets. The consignment also included eight tonnes of medicines and one tonne of food items.
The successive airlifts underline the multi-dimensional nature of India’s assistance to Nepal. While essential supplies are being provided to meet immediate humanitarian requirements, specialised teams and engineering equipment are being deployed to support rescue operations and the restoration of damaged infrastructure.
The inclusion of forensic specialists and DNA-analysis equipment is expected to assist authorities in identifying victims and supporting families affected by the disaster.
The bridge-building assistance is equally significant as damaged infrastructure can hamper the movement of rescue teams, relief supplies and affected residents. By helping restore vital crossings, India is seeking to support Nepal’s broader recovery alongside its immediate relief operations.
The latest C-130 mission therefore represents another step in India’s continuing effort to provide both humanitarian assistance and technical expertise to Nepal. With rescue operations and infrastructure restoration continuing, New Delhi has indicated that its support will remain focused on helping Nepal respond to the flood emergency and recover essential connectivity and services.
