New Delhi: Stepping up its disaster response after catastrophic flash floods left hundreds unaccounted for, New Delhi sent a second aircraft carrying 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid, essential pharmaceuticals and food supplies to Nepal on Thursday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to assisting Kathmandu during the search and rescue phase in a social media post on X.
A second flight has just taken off, carrying 37.5 tonnes of HADR material, medicines & food packets for Nepal.
India remains in close and continuous touch with the Nepalese authorities. We will continue to strongly support the ongoing relief efforts.
🇮🇳🇳🇵 pic.twitter.com/4m46leqfkC
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 27, 2026
“A second flight has just taken off, carrying 37.5 tonnes of HADR material, medicines & food packets for Nepal.” Jaishankar said.
Underscoring active bilateral cooperation, EAM Jaishankar further noted, “India remains in close and continuous touch with the Nepalese authorities. We will continue to strongly support the ongoing relief efforts.”
The latest aerial dispatch comes a day after an initial 10-tonne delivery was sent on Wednesday.
In Kathmandu, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava officially transferred the relief consignment to Nepalese Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel.
The assistance package is aimed at providing critical provisions to people affected by severe inundation and landslides.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal affirmed that India stands alongside Nepal and remains committed to providing all feasible assistance.
The calamity, caused by intense monsoon rainfall, has caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, homes and agricultural areas. Thousands of households have been displaced across multiple provinces as local agencies respond to the crisis.
The humanitarian assistance is in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ doctrine, highlighting the country’s efforts to provide immediate relief to regional partners during crises.
As India expands its humanitarian assistance to flood-hit Nepal, Indian Air Force personnel detailed the operational logistics involved in the rapid relief missions.
C-17 Globemaster Aircraft Commander L Nayak told ANI, “Today, we are carrying approximately 30 to 40 tons of relief material, medical supplies, and NDRF payloads. The flight time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes; we will be departing at 9:30 AM and landing in Kathmandu at around 10:45 AM. We are carrying adequate fuel to hold in the air for 1 to 1.5 hours if necessary. If the delay is prolonged and we cannot land, we have earmarked two airbases within India, and they have been informed that we may divert there to refuel.”
Elaborating on the initial dispatch and operational readiness from India, AOC Hindon Air Force Station Air Commodore R Dobhal told ANI, “Since we are always ready for such contingencies, we immediately prepared a C-130J Hercules aircraft. We loaded it with relief materials, medicines, and generators, tasks accomplished with the assistance of civil authorities and the NDRF. We readied the aircraft and launched it as quickly as possible; it took off around 8.30 PM, landed in Nepal within two hours, and delivered approximately 10 tonnes of supplies.”
“The Indian Air Force frequently conducts relief operations, both within India and in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Recently, an operation was carried out in Venezuela; the Indian Air Force stands ready to assist anywhere in the world whenever the need arises. Regarding current operations, one aircraft has already departed, and a C-17 is scheduled to leave today; we are fully prepared should further assistance be required,” he added.
As relief operations continue on the ground and in the air, India’s rapid deployment underscores its commitment to supporting neighbouring nations during humanitarian emergencies.
