India Sends Third Relief Shipment to Quake-Hit Nepal

India Sends Third Relief Shipment to Quake-Hit Nepal

 

After consecutive earthquakes struck the remote mountain regions of western Nepal, India dispatched its third consignment of relief materials, totaling 12 tonnes, to the affected area on Thursday.

On November 3, a powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked western Nepal’s Jajarkot and Rukum districts, resulting in 153 fatalities and over 260 injuries. Subsequently, on November 7, three tremors with magnitudes exceeding 4 struck Jajarkot, causing injuries to at least 16 people. The earthquakes inflicted significant damage to approximately 8,000 structures, including both public and private properties.

The November 3 earthquake marked the most severe loss of life and infrastructure since the devastating quake of April 2015.

Following the arrival of an Indian Air Force plane carrying essential emergency aid in Nepal, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted: “@IAF_MCC. Flight 3 carrying another 12 tonnes of relief material lands in Nepal. India will always remain a trusted and reliable partner.”

A banner displaying the words ‘Nepal India Cooperation’ encircling the flags of both nations, along with a label that read “Gift from people of India to People of Nepal,” adorned the area where the aid materials were organized upon their delivery by the IAF plane.

This third shipment arrived three days after the second consignment, comprising nine tonnes of relief aid, reached the affected region on November 6. In the northwest mountainous area hit by the earthquake, people have been grappling with shortages of food, warm clothing, and medicines as another tremor struck.

The second consignment was transported to Nepalgunj by a special Indian Air Force C-130 and included essential medical and hygiene supplies, tents, sleeping bags, and blankets.

On November 5, India had already provided the first consignment, exceeding 11 tonnes, which included tents, tarpaulin sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, essential medicines, and medical equipment.

As an immediate neighbor with centuries of relations, India was the first country to send emergency relief materials to the earthquake-affected districts in Nepal.

“India’s support to Nepal remains strong and steadfast in this difficult hour,” Jaishankar emphasized in his statement on November 6.

In 2015, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake damaged nearly 800,000 homes and resulted in the loss of nearly 9,000 lives, according to the Post Disaster Needs Assessment Report of 2015.

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