India has also deployed specialised teams to support rescue and forensic operations in Nepal.
As many as 163 Indian nationals have been rescued from flood-hit Nepal, while 151 Indians left China till Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its latest update.
The update, issued as of 7.30 pm on September 1, said five more Indian nationals had been rescued since Monday.
Nepal’s devastating floods have claimed more than 1,050 lives, while over 580 foreign nationals remain missing, according to the latest reports. Rescue teams continue to search affected areas as families wait for information about missing people. The disaster has led to a major international rescue, relief and identification effort.
163 Indians rescued from Nepal
According to the MEA, 163 Indian nationals have been rescued from the flood-affected areas of Nepal.
The number increased by five since the previous day.
The ministry also said 151 Indian nationals left China on Tuesday as efforts continued to assist Indians affected by the disaster.
India has also deployed specialised teams to support rescue and forensic operations in Nepal.
Indian tunnel team faces difficult conditions
MEA said the Indian tunnel rescue team has established a foothold at hydropower tunnels in Chilime, but has faced several challenges while trying to move further inside. The team encountered extremely restricted access space, limitations on the use of specialised equipment because of the terrain and a marshy tunnel floor.
To overcome these difficulties, the team used innovative methods and improvised floats to move deeper into the tunnel.
The team will continue its efforts on Wednesday to try to locate and rescue any people who may still be trapped inside, the MEA said.
The tunnel operations form part of the wider search and rescue effort in areas affected by the floods.
India expands forensic assistance
Alongside the rescue operation, India’s forensic team has expanded its work in coordination with its Nepalese counterparts. According to the MEA, the team is undertaking tasks including the examination and analysis of DNA.
The ministry said the expanded forensic activities would help speed up the processing of DNA samples in Nepal.
The forensic effort is part of the wider response to the large number of casualties and missing people following the floods.