Nepal thunderstorm: India offers relief assistance to storm victims

India has said that it is ready to provide relief assistance to Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating thunderstorm that struck the country last week. 

More than 30 people have died in the thunderstorm in Bara and Parsa districts of Nepal. India is the first foreign nation to show readiness to provide help in relief and rescue operations in the country.

In a release, the ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and damage to property in Nepal following the devastating thunderstorm that struck Bara and Parsa districts of Nepal. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost their dear ones, sustained injuries or suffered damage to their property."

Indian mission in Kathmandu and Consulate in Birgunj are in touch with Nepalese authorities regarding any kind of assistance needed by the South Asian country. 

Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in a tweet last week said, no stone will be left unturned to help people impacted by the thunderstorm.

Under its Operation Maitri in the aftermath of the deadly 2015 Nepal earthquake, India was the first responder by sending its rescue and relief assistance within 6 hours. Over 570 tonnes of relief material was air-lifted, over 14000 tonnes was sent by road in nearly 2000 trucks, and about 1200 tonnes was sent by rail to the country by New Delhi. 

India was able to rescue nearly 6500 persons, provided medical aid to over 4700 persons, and cleared 6500 cubic meters of debris from World Heritage Sites in Nepal under operation Maitri.