Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel on Saturday thanked India for its support following the devastating August 26 flash floods, as the death toll from the disaster rose to 669, with more than 2,400 people still unaccounted for, according to Nepalese authorities.
Paudel expressed gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu and described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “exceptionally generous" for the support and solidarity extended to Nepal as it continues its search, rescue and relief operations.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Nepal, I extend our deepest gratitude to Your Excellency Smt Droupadi Murmu for your kind concern and also for the generous support and solidarity extended by your government following the recent calamity in Nepal,” Paudel said in a post on X.
The Nepalese president also conveyed condolences to India over the deaths of Indian nationals in the disaster.
“We also offer our heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Government and the people of India for the tragic loss of Indian lives in the disaster of August 26, 2026,” he said.
Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that 626 bodies had been recovered, while around 2,400 people remained unaccounted for. The government said search, rescue, relief and recovery operations remained its national priority, with particular attention being given to missing Nepali and foreign nationals.
India expands rescue and relief assistance
India has significantly stepped up its assistance to Nepal since the floods struck the Bhote Koshi River region, with New Delhi offering both humanitarian supplies and specialised support for rescue operations.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that India's immediate priority was to support Nepal's relief and rescue efforts while helping locate and bring back Indian nationals stranded in affected areas.
Jaishankar said India had offered Nepal a range of assistance, including tunnelling experts, Bailey bridges, medical teams and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel.
India has also sent relief material to Nepal by air. Two consignments had already been dispatched before a third aircraft carrying assistance departed on Friday. The latest consignment included humanitarian supplies, while an 11-member team of doctors, paramedics and specialists for tunnel rescue operations was also sent to Nepal.
Nepal looks towards reconstruction
The disaster has caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure in the affected region. Nepal is now facing the dual challenge of continuing rescue operations while beginning to assess the scale of reconstruction required.
Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has said India has indicated that it is prepared to extend generous assistance for reconstruction, adding another dimension to New Delhi's immediate humanitarian support.
The Indian assistance comes as Nepal seeks specialised international help for difficult rescue and infrastructure-recovery operations. Nepal's foreign ministry said the country's priority remained saving lives, locating missing people, providing urgent relief and supporting both Nepali and foreign nationals affected by the floods.