- 2 months ago
Catastrophic flash floods in Nepal have caused widespread destruction across mountainous districts including Nuwakot, Chitwan, Dhading, and Rasuwa. The flooding damaged 11 hydroelectric power stations and severed regional power and communication networks. Nepalese authorities deployed over 1,000 troops and 15 military helicopters for search and rescue operations. Hundreds of people are affected, with more than 384 foreign tourists missing, including over 100 Indian nationals. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Member of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran wrote to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to request the evacuation of missing tourists from Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to offer humanitarian assistance. The Indian Air Force prepared C-17 Globemaster and C-130J transport aircraft carrying National Disaster Response Force personnel, earth-moving machinery, medical teams, and relief supplies. Downstream, Indian border states Bihar and Uttar Pradesh issued high flood alerts. Authorities in Bihar opened all 36 gates of the Valmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage to manage massive water inflows from Nepal.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Nepalese Prime Minister Balain Shah
00:04conveying condolences on the loss of life due to the flash flood in Nepal.
00:09Prime Minister Modi ensuring, assuring and extending all possible humanitarian
00:13and relief assistance as and when required from Nepal.
00:16I can also tell you that what we know so far is that India is already preparing
00:22to send relief material to Nepal as soon as possible,
00:26as soon as the Nepalese government gives an approval on that.
00:29Our source in the government have confirmed that.
00:31India is also preparing to send material with regard to whether it's rescue operations and more.
00:38For now, ladies and gentlemen, eight people confirmed dead.
00:4233 security personnel are missing.
00:45Sources have confirmed that New Delhi is in close touch with Kathmandu,
00:49is monitoring the situation across the border.
00:51And this, remember, is while of course we've been friends and ally with Nepal,
00:55but this is a border country.
00:56The impact of it could be felt with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
01:00but also about Indians who either are working or residing in Nepal in these areas
01:06or have gone as tourists.
01:07This is an important root belt that also is facing an impact
01:12and can impact the latest on that.
01:15Alright, on your screen, ladies and gentlemen,
01:17is the statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
01:19And I'm going to quickly read out to you just in case you cannot read from what's coming on our
01:24screen.
01:25But this is an immediate first call that has happened with Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
01:31Prime Minister Modi has said, and I quote it here,
01:33conveying condolences on the loss of life due to floods in Nepal.
01:37The people of India stand in solidarity with sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time.
01:41India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal.
01:45Our teams are already coordinating closely on rescue and efforts.
01:50So, with Balain Shah, the Prime Minister of Nepal,
01:54Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has immediately had a conversation with.
01:59So, this is an immediate interaction that has happened.
02:02And remember, it is not just a courtesy call.
02:04It's not even protocol.
02:05This is, as a friendly nation, we are reaching out.
02:08One, expressing condolences.
02:11Also stating, if you require any help, because we're a border country,
02:14as India has always done, whether in times of earthquake or pandemic,
02:18that we will immediately send out help.
02:22And that is what the Indian Prime Minister has directly mentioned.
02:26I want to immediately bring in India Today Global Editor Pranay Upadhyay,
02:29who is also tracking consistently the visuals that are coming in.
02:33What does the statement really signify, Pranay?
02:37When can India possibly, according to your information, start sending the material?
02:41And what kind of information are you receiving from Nepal?
02:45Pooja, the government of India, through our Indian mission in Kathmandu,
02:48is constantly in touch with the Nepalese authorities because Indian lives are at risk right now
02:53in the affected area.
02:54But besides that, as you mentioned, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Nepalese Prime Minister Balain Shah,
02:59extended India's all possible help.
03:01And as you know, that wherever there is a natural calamity, wherever there is a HADR requirement,
03:06India steps in in any such situation, be it the 2015 earthquake of Nepal.
03:12Even at that point of time, India came as a first responder to help the neighboring nation.
03:17And you know that how deep are and how old are, you know, the length and breadth of the ties
03:22between India and Nepal.
03:24And therefore, India has expressed the intent to send all possible help.
03:27And in fact, this is what we have been given to understand that the NDRF companies are also being kept
03:33on standby
03:34and other relief and rescue material is also being sent at any opportune time.
03:40Because, you know, we have to find a possible window to send that relief and rescue material
03:45and for the Nepalese government to find out that where they want these rescue material and relief material to be
03:50sent.
03:50But besides that, the Government of India has extended all possible help for the Nepalese government.
03:55The same thing that's been conveyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
03:58And besides that, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs is also in touch with the Nepalese Foreign Office in this
04:05regard.
04:05And the relief and rescue material is also being prepared for the possible shipment through the airlift of the relief
04:15and rescue material.
04:16Besides that, the man and material both are being kept on standby for any possible help for Nepal.
04:22Also, just tell us about what is the protocol in these, at this point.
04:28How and when does India start to do it?
04:30How does India do it with regard to sending material right away?
04:35Because as Prime Minister Modi has assured, we are on standby anytime required.
04:39So, is it through the road route, air?
04:41How do we go about it, Pranay?
04:43You know, Pooja, India and Nepal are well connected.
04:47But we have to be mindful about the situation there.
04:50You know, how soon that relief material can be sent.
04:54That is for the Nepalese authorities to coordinate with India.
04:59Where exactly they want that relief and rescue material in terms of the man, material, what kind of help they
05:04are looking at.
05:05And definitely, that is the intent conveyed by the government of India at the highest level.
05:10And that's why I think Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart, Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah.
05:16And conveyed that government of India remains on standby to help Nepalese government in this moment of difficulty and in
05:25this moment of natural disaster.
05:27And what kind of help?
05:29And besides that, you know, Indian satellites are also tracking the movement.
05:33As you know, that the Indian satellite network is the most robust and most efficient network in the region.
05:38And therefore, you know, all sorts of help or material, you know, whatever Nepal requires remains on standby.
05:47India has expressed the intent to send that kind of help to Nepal.
05:50Stay on with me.
05:51Stay on with me.
05:52Shivani Sharma also joining us.
05:53She closely tracks our armed forces as well.
05:56Shivani, we all remember the horrific 2015, I believe, the earthquake that happened in Nepal.
06:00What is that you're picking up from your sources in the defense about the deployments, that they're on standby?
06:08What is the protocol with this regard?
06:12There's a piece of breaking news for the viewers.
06:14As India has already decided to send the relief materials to Nepal and the affected areas out there,
06:20the Indian Air Force's aircraft are on a standby.
06:24The relief material will be loaded and they will be leaving with this material towards Nepal.
06:30There are fabricated sheets which will be flowing.
06:32There are medicines, there are food items that will be flowing to Nepal at this hour of crisis.
06:38The NDRF, the SSB, they are all on a standby and they are ready to assist Nepal in its hour
06:45of need.
06:46So despite the weather conditions, the challenges out there,
06:51there is preparedness from India's side to not only send the relief material,
06:56but the rescue mission teams towards Nepal, where this area is being affected and impacted.
07:03There are hundreds of people, Pooja, who are still missing in this region,
07:06including more than 108 Indians.
07:10Stay on with me, Shivani, stay on with me.
07:13I'm interrupting you both because I'm joined right now with an important voice coming in
07:18from the Nepalese Armed Forces.
07:20I'm told that the spokesperson of the Nepalese Army,
07:23Brigadier General Narayan Silval, is joining us right now.
07:28This is Brigadier General Radha Ram.
07:32Brigadier General Radha Ram.
07:35Radha Ram, yes.
07:35All right, all right.
07:36My apologies, sir.
07:37I just want to get that clear.
07:39And can you help us understand, sir,
07:41what is the situation that you are hearing right now?
07:43What kind of arrangements is being done by the Army or the Air Force there?
07:48Yeah, okay.
07:50The rescue operation is still going on.
07:53A total of 15 helicopters are deployed into those affected areas.
08:02Till now, 88 people were rescued to the safe areas.
08:07And almost 13 are undergoing treatment at Kathmandu Teaching Hospital.
08:14And the Nepali Army with the security agencies are deployed with the helicopters
08:22and through the land routes, especially in four districts,
08:29Chitong, Padding, Nuakut and Rashua.
08:33And the rescue operation are still going on.
08:36Now, what is the assessment that you have that happened?
08:41And are there forces deployed in this area already?
08:44Or will you be rushing your deployment toward that?
08:50When we came to know about the incident, the troops were deployed in those areas.
08:55I have already mentioned about the number of helicopters with the special rescue team
09:01deployed in those areas.
09:02And they have already rescued 88 people from the most affected area.
09:08Brigadier General Rajaram, if I can just also ask you an understanding about,
09:12is there any assistance that you're looking at from India?
09:14If the Indian government is watching this, anything that you require?
09:17Prime Minister of both countries have spoken to each other.
09:21And India has always been ready.
09:22If there's anything required, would you want to talk about that, sir?
09:26Yeah, especially regarding this coordination.
09:30The Nepalese government is doing the coordination from their side.
09:35Sir, also, have you seen anything like that in your long career in the armed forces there?
09:41Is this the first time that Nepal possibly is facing such a calamity in the mountain regions?
09:49Yeah, it's the biggest scale calamity happened today in those areas.
09:55Just a few more final questions, sir.
09:57Can you help us understand what region is this in Nepal?
10:00There are some visuals that show that it was inhabited, densely populated.
10:04But I can also see some areas where there's not much of a population.
10:08So what part of the region is this in Nepal?
10:13It's the mountainous region of Nepal.
10:16And you have seen the densely populated houses.
10:22It's in Tirshuli.
10:24That's in Noakur district.
10:27And that's the capital of Noakur district.
10:33That's Tirshuli.
10:34And, sir, are we looking at a massive rescue operation?
10:37Are rescue operations difficult in these times?
10:41Because a flash flood can often flatten and wipe away areas.
10:45So what kind of and how do you think the rescue operations are being carried out?
10:49Do you think helicopters, like you're telling me,
10:51are going to be the main source to be able to reach to this place?
10:56Yes, basically due to the weather conditions and, you know, to narrow gauges, you know, that's the difficulties we are
11:05facing while doing the rescue operation.
11:08All right.
11:09Brigadier General Rajaram, appreciate you joining us, speaking to India today.
11:12And thank you very much.
11:13I hope you and your people are safe, secure, and the rescue operations are done immediately.
11:19And more and more survivors can come out of this.
11:21Our prayers are with the people of Nepal.
11:23But also, this is going to impact Indian citizens.
11:26There are about over 100 citizens of India who are missing right now.
11:31There's no clarity about who these Indians are.
11:34Are they tourists?
11:35Were they also included in that?
11:37Some of them who could be working there or were residing in Nepal.
11:42But these visuals and from what I gather, if I remember correctly, this is the first time that I am
11:48watching what a flash flood can do.
11:50We've had several flash floods in our hilly terrains as well, even in Nepal and other mountain regions.
11:55But to really see it on camera, due to these CCTVs in Nepal, you get a glimpse of the kind
12:02of force, the pressure that comes in.
12:05Because when a flash floods happen, ladies and gentlemen, it brings with it, and it's not like a simple landslide.
12:10It is enough water that comes in from the cloudburst.
12:14Then there is a flash flood that carries with it hills, the debris, the water.
12:20And often, often, it comes without a warning.
12:23There can be a landslide that you can understand may happen, or if there is a flooded river, a warning
12:30can be given.
12:31But in instances of a flash flood, the only warning that can come in usually is that it's a monsoon
12:38season, there's heavy rainfall.
12:40One can be advised for caution, but it's very difficult to predict a flash flood or a cloudburst that can
12:47happen.
12:47But these visuals, and we are constantly trying to ensure that what India today puts out, unlike other channels, that
12:54we put out only confirmed visuals.
12:56It is not a moment to spread alarm or panic, but you need to know the reality on ground.
13:02Pranay Upadhyay continues to be with us.
13:04Pranay just put it in perspective for me, because when I look at the visual of that customs office, where
13:11I see people running, and then the screen goes blank, and you can only see that they must have got
13:18caught in that debris.
13:20The foreign minister of Nepal said there was an earthquake early this morning, and then there was this flash flood.
13:26But can you just elaborate that for us?
13:29This big building or this building structure, what you can see on the screen, Puja, is basically the Raswa border
13:36gate between Nepal and China.
13:39And you can see the magnitude of destruction here, because there are reports that initially there was an earthquake, and
13:45which actually later into a domino effect of, you know, that or cascading effect of that destruction.
13:51Because reportedly, these are unconfirmed reports, but the reports we are getting from Nepal indicating that there are around 14,
13:57one, four, 14 hydroelectric power stations got damaged.
14:01Around 600 people are currently affected, and the magnitude of this destruction could be way beyond the 2015 earthquake.
14:09So that is certainly very big in terms of the natural disasters history of Nepal.
14:15And as you know, that around 100 Indians are also reportedly stuck.
14:20Many of the Kailash Mansur over Yatris are stuck in that region.
14:24Besides that, around 1,000 Nepalese security forces have been pressed into the search and rescue operation.
14:29Helicopters and choppers are also being used right now.
14:32Besides that, around 400 people have been rescued from that area and have been sent to different places, to the
14:39safer places.
14:40But the entire terrain is quite difficult.
14:43And the river, the flesh flood, and the entire impact or the effect of this flesh flood got magnified or
14:51amplified because of the flesh flood caused by the hydroelectric power station damages.
14:57And you can see that, you know, the magnitude of this destruction because of the amplification of the water flowing
15:04through the channels and the destruction of the dams.
15:09Pranay, as we are looking at these visuals, and because of CCTV, at least we understand what happens on mobile
15:15footage.
15:16I want to add here, some of these visuals are of, of course, someone recording it on mobile phones.
15:21Right now, when you say Prime Minister Modi has spoken to the Nepalese Prime Minister, what happens then?
15:26I am sure there will be a constant coordination, helpline numbers have been given?
15:31Absolutely, both.
15:32Ministry of External Affairs has issued a helpline number.
15:37Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is also in touch and they have also issued a helpline number.
15:41Besides that, the Nepalese government has also shared their helpline number because many international tourists are stuck in that region.
15:47Anyone who has been to that area of Lake Beed Pokhra or Kalash Mansarovar Yatra, there is a Kalash Mansarovar
15:54Yatra route.
15:54And many Indians take that Kalash Mansarovar Yatra route through Nepal, so many tourists are also stuck in that area.
16:01And that's why I think Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Nepalese Prime Minister.
16:05He extended all possible help from the Indian side.
16:08Internally, I think the Ministry of Home Affairs is also coordinating with NDRF teams.
16:14NDMA, National Disaster Management Authority, is also assessing and keeping the teams on standby.
16:20And there are, you know, teams on standby in Gorakhpur region so that the, you know, the teams can be
16:28sent at a short notice.
16:29But that is for the Nepalese government and Nepalese authorities to coordinate and find and tell locations that where exactly
16:36they want and what kind of help they are looking at from India.
16:40And therefore, the government of India remains in constant touch with the Nepalese authorities at every level, right from the
16:46Prime Minister's level to the level of our Indian mission in Kathmandu.
16:50And any possible help which is required by the Nepalese authority, be it the search and rescue team, relief material,
16:57medical assistance, you know, all will be extended in this time of difficult difficulty.
17:02Absolutely. India is always prepared as and when required.
17:05Please stay on with me, Pranay, because just a short while ago, I spoke to a young woman in Nepal,
17:11in Kathmandu, who has some of the people known to her missing in the region.
17:16Let's listen in to her.
17:19What is the situation that you are hearing?
17:21What kind of visuals are coming to you?
17:23How damaging does it look like to you?
17:26Okay. So, I am right now in Kathmandu.
17:30Some of my colleagues have gone to the affected area today morning.
17:34So, they have already reached there.
17:37And some of my friends' relatives have also been lost in the flood right now.
17:43So, what is happening now?
17:46I just heard about that they are trying to contact people through the help of satellite.
17:53But people are missing.
17:56They are not being able to contact each other.
17:59There is a situation of chaos is going there.
18:02Right now, Nepal government is also trying to contact the people.
18:07But I see that so many situations that Nepal government is trying is failing right now.
18:15It's not seen that properly that government is doing that in a proper way.
18:20Now, there are many people who are going to the rest of the night.
18:26And many NGOs and INGOs are also helping them.
18:32So, I am just telling you that Jasmine, do you know that there is no contact?
18:39Yes.
18:40Yes.
18:41Yes.
18:42Yes.
18:43Yes.
18:48Yes.
18:51He is trying to contact them, but now he is not able to contact him.
18:55He is also missing that he is not able to contact him.
19:02We can explain this region, Jasmine.
19:06Where is it? Where is it? How far is it from the Indian border, Kathmandu?
19:10What kind of area is it?
19:12It is very far.
19:14There are floods in many years.
19:23It is near the China border.
19:28That is why the Nepal government is also trying to access China.
19:36They have made some contacts with the Chinese people there.
19:42But they are not able to contact him.
19:47Now they are missing.
19:50So what is it?
19:52What is it?
19:52It is like this is for the very first time that Nepal has seen this big flood.
20:00It has never happened in Nepal before.
20:03We have never seen such a big flood.
20:08We have never seen such a big flood.
20:10This is the very first time that Nepal has been facing this.
20:13Jasmine, I am sure you remember the earthquake also of Nepal.
20:16Yes.
20:17How different do you think the earthquake was to this flash flood?
20:20The kind of damage or sadly the death toll that we are looking at?
20:24So in Nepal, like it has been said for many years, we have been saying that we need a policy,
20:33fiscal policy, climate friendly budget.
20:35So they are concerned about this.
20:36It has been said for many years.
20:39But even now, they have never taken the issue of climate.
20:44So, they never taken the issue of climate.
20:59It was also very big, but that is also more big, because thousands of people have been
21:07affected, hundreds of lives have been already gone, how much we have heard, and many people
21:15are missing.
21:16So I think this has become more big issue than the issue that was happening back in the
21:23future.
21:28Alright, the big news that's coming in is about the precaution in our border states.
21:32We are looking at Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
21:34Here's what we have from Bihar.
21:3686,000 cubic of water has been discharged from Diwalmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage in Bihar.
21:42Gandak Barrage is very important because it's right there in the border areas.
21:46All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage have been opened, that is to basically of course let
21:51the water through.
21:52Warning messages are being issued to all districts in the Gandak river basin.
21:56The water level at the Devgat, we are told, is about 4.77 metres.
22:01The danger level is 9 metres, so it's not touched the danger level yet.
22:06But of course it's going to be looking at that.
22:08That's the Chief Minister there speaking and we'll try and understand what Bihar Chief
22:12Minister is also saying with this and how Pankha Chaudhuri is looking at it.
22:47So Bihar Chief Minister is coordinating. We also have updates from Uttar Pradesh.
22:51Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has put out a statement. Remember there are areas both
22:55in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh that border Nepal and that is why even though this area is above
23:02and beyond and toward Tibet, yet it could impact especially when it comes to the mountain regions
23:08and the water influx that's happening. And it's always good to keep some precautionary measures in
23:13place and if evacuation is needed in areas that border, especially the village areas, rural areas,
23:19mountain areas, if they border Nepal. We have reporters confirming to us about UP
23:25Chief Minister who's conducting a high-level meeting. Bihar Chief Minister has conducted
23:28a high-level meeting with all the officers, especially with regard to this area, toward
23:33the border and if anything is required to ensure precaution. The latest that I can confirm
23:38to you is that the Gundak Barrage gates have been opened, all 36 gates. That is of course to ensure
23:44that the water constantly passes through, but that can mean some of the rivers can be overflowing as well
23:50and that is why warning messages have gone in. Rohit Singh is joining me for the latest on that.
23:57Rohit, and I want to add here, my colleague Rohit is already en route towards the border to Nepal.
24:02That may take a few hours though. Rohit, what is the Bihar Chief Minister's strategy right now
24:06to ensure that our border areas, Indian citizens are taken care of?
24:13Well, Pooja, there is a strong possibility of a flood hitting Bihar in the next 12 to 15 hours, we
24:21can say.
24:22Because the volume of water that is coming from Nepal, almost 90% of that water is going to enter
24:30into Bihar
24:32through the Gundak River and also the Kosi River. And that is why there is hectic meetings
24:37that are going on at this point of time. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has also held deliberations
24:42with the Chief Secretary and other officials. And almost half a dozen districts have been put on high alert,
24:50especially those on the river Gundak side, including the districts like West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalgan,
25:01Muzaffarpur, all these districts are on high alert because these are the districts which is likely to be the most
25:09affected
25:09because of the flash flood that has hit Nepal. So in the next 12 to 14, 15 hours, we are
25:16expecting that all that water will be entering into Bihar,
25:20and will be causing widespread devastation in many districts of the state. Back to you.
25:26Hith, you be safe and we are waiting for your ground reports coming in from the border area.
25:31Seven districts in northern Bihar share a continuous 726 kilometres long international border with Nepal.
25:38Like Rohit mentioned, that's Champaran, East and West, Sitamadi, Madhubani.
25:43These are some of the districts that will be on constant watch right now.
25:47But like Rohit is saying, the water is bound to come in from Nepal with the Gundak River into Bihar.
25:54So the government will have to be taking all kinds of caution.
25:58It's a big test for Samrat Chaudhary to ensure that Indian citizens on this line are not affected at all.
26:03I have breaking news coming in from the Indian Armed Forces. Let's take a look at that.
26:07The Indian Air Force aircraft disaster relief teams are on standby.
26:11The Indian Air Force C-17 choppers, C-130, these are transport aircraft, ladies and gentlemen, are on standby.
26:19To fly as and when, if required, relief assistance to flood hit Nepal as well.
26:25Earth moving equipment is being prepared as well. Relief material medicines are being ready for possible deployment.
26:31Shivani Sharma and Pranay Upadhyay are joining me.
26:34Shivani, first to you, tell us about the specific aircraft that are being on standby, that are being used to
26:44ensure if, as and when Nepal requires, will be sent.
26:47And what kind of equipment is being sent along?
26:51The C-17 Globemaster, the C-130 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force are now being made ready with
26:58the relief material.
26:59The loading process is still on. And not only this material, the earth moving material, the medicines, the food items,
27:08the equipment that would be required for the rescue is being prepared to be sent to Nepal as soon as
27:13possible.
27:13And the personnel who are on a standby, the NDRF teams that are on a standby will also be flown
27:20by these aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
27:22So the process is still on. Even as we speak, the relief material is being loaded.
27:26And very soon the first flight will be taking off from India to Nepal to help Nepal in this hour
27:33of crisis.
27:34And we've seen that multiple locations across the globe, whenever there is crisis, be it the earthquake or be it
27:40the calamities, the Indian Air Force is ready to act.
27:45And right now we are getting the breaking news that the C-17 Globemaster, the C-130 aircraft of the
27:51Indian Air Force are ready and are being prepared with the relief material and the rescue operation teams to be
27:57flown into Nepal as soon as possible.
27:59All right, Shivani, stay on with me. Pranay also continues to be with us. Pranay, do tell us about the
28:04kind of disaster relief teams that you are hearing are on standby.
28:08What kind of material that you've seen or heard in the past that India has sent out as in when
28:14a disaster of this scale happens? What is it that you think other countries require?
28:19Pooja, as Shivani also mentioned, these are both strategic lift aircrafts, both C-130J and C-17 Globemaster.
28:27And in fact, a large number of, you know, first relief, first tranche of relief material is being sent to
28:33Nepal.
28:33But this remains a dynamic situation, Pooja. You know, most of the requirement has to come from the Nepalese side.
28:39And that's why Government of India is in touch with the Nepalese authority through our Indian mission in Kathmandu as
28:44well as the Government of India remains in touch with the Nepalese embassy in New York.
28:48New Delhi as well. And constantly things are being updated. The first tranche involves the relief and rescue material, a
28:55medical team, you know, makeshift hospitals.
28:58Besides that, you know, Earthmover equipment, a specialized equipment for the disaster relief and the rescue, you know, situation because
29:07a flash flood has come.
29:08So in this time, the rescue of people or individual becomes very difficult.
29:13And the kind of data coming in from Nepal clearly indicates that the expanse of the damage could be very,
29:19very big.
29:20And therefore, a wider area need to be covered in the relief and rescue material.
29:24The time becomes a key. And therefore, you know, the heavy machinery to move that, you know, mud and heavy
29:32boulders is required in such a point of time.
29:35Besides that, a specialized trained manpower is also required. So that is also being kept on standby, be it the
29:42NDRF or NDMA teams are there.
29:45So especially trained doctors are there. And, you know, India has this kind of a proven record for the HEDR
29:51assistance humanitarian relief.
29:53Stay on with me. I need you on the next big story that's coming in. That's the first official statement
29:58from Nepal government on the flash flood.
30:01So the Nepalese government has said, and I'll quote here first, the death toll is mounting to nine.
30:05The government says, and I quote it here, treatment of the injured is ongoing at the Tribhuvan University teaching hospital
30:12and trauma center.
30:14One person in critical condition at the trauma center. According to the preliminary details of the tourism board, 384 tourists
30:21are yet to be contacted.
30:24384 tourists or passengers are yet to be contacted. This is as per initial details of the tourism board.
30:32I want to immediately take that to Pranay Upadhyay. Pranay, clearly hundreds are missing.
30:36And at this point, I understand that eight or nine may not sound like a big death toll.
30:43But the fact is in a situation like this, you can't even ascertain how many are missing or have died.
30:48Absolutely, Pooja. These are only preliminary numbers.
30:51But the kind of the magnitude of this entire destruction is so big that the number could be anyone's imagination.
30:59You can say, and I'm not able to even make any assessment or won't dare to make any assessment.
31:06We are keeping in view of this kind of a destruction.
31:08But certainly the Nepalese government has sent a president around thousand troops for this relief and rescue operation.
31:15Besides that, the choppers have also also been present by the Nepalese army.
31:18And you heard the Nepalese army, the former spokesperson that what kind of relief and rescue operations are being carried
31:25out.
31:26But besides that, around 11 hydroelectric power stations got impacted.
31:30And that is the reason why the magnitude of this destruction is so huge.
31:34Because, you know, the flesh flood and the water flow got magnified.
31:39It got amplified because of the destruction of, you know, other water.
31:44That visual of the customs office where you see hundreds of workers, possibly employees running in panic for cover.
31:52And then they're all covered in the debris, smoke and more.
31:56I'm also joined by Shivani Sharma.
31:59Shivani, the latest is from the Nepal government that you're telling us.
32:0211 hydropower plants knock out 431 megawatts of electricity.
32:08So that means there's going to be a big communication electricity issue there in Nepal in this area.
32:13Can you tell us more about that?
32:15And of course, the missing foreigners.
32:17See, Pooja, 384 foreigners are missing.
32:21Among them are 105 Indians who are not in contact right now because of the missing communication lines.
32:28The whole area has been wiped off.
32:30We can clearly see in the picture the magnitude of the devastation out there.
32:3411 hydropower projects have been completely damaged.
32:37There's no line of communication.
32:39And that is adding up to the challenge of rescue operation because there's no light.
32:43There's no electricity.
32:44There's no communication channel to communicate and coordinate between the teams who are deployed in this whole region.
32:51So adding up to those challenges and the numbers of missing is also in hundreds.
32:57That's what we are being told.
32:59And 384 people who were tourists from different countries.
33:03So that is a big number.
33:05The efforts are going on.
33:0615 helicopters are still on the search and rescue operation.
33:09More and more relief material, not only from India, from the adjoining Chinese territories also flowing in.
33:17So the rescue operation is going on, Pooja.
33:20The numbers are devastating.
33:22The initial figures are around nine that has been confirmed by the government of Nepal.
33:26Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already spoken to the PM of Nepal and assistance is being provided on every possible
33:34front.
33:34The medicines, the food material, the relief teams who are on a standby to just take off from India and
33:41to land in Nepal and to start that operation in these regions.
33:45But yes, certainly, the big challenge is the race against time and such kind of calamities, Pooja, because to save
33:52and to look for people who can be saved immediately, who can be taken out from these areas of devastation
34:00is what the first challenge is.
34:01And as we also see, the daylight is also now about to go.
34:07So that is another challenge to just look for people who might be there in these regions that have been
34:14impacted the most to evacuate those who are in a proximity.
34:19Shivani, I have to ask you here before, and there's more news coming in, but a quick word from you.
34:24Do you think there would be deployment of the armed forces in our border areas also right now, where the
34:29water could be gushing in?
34:30There could be caution for that, apart from what the government is planning as well.
34:35What do you hear from the armed forces as a protocol?
34:38See, when we talk about the deployments along the border, there is SSB that is deployed in that region.
34:44The SSB is already on ground and is ready to assist in any kind of an impact that comes towards
34:53India.
34:53And the alert has already been issued by the Bihar government for people in these regions.
34:58And yes, the army teams are also as a protocol ready.
35:01The engineering teams, the engineers of the army who are the first responders in these kind of flash plots we've
35:07seen in YNAD,
35:08we've seen in multiple other nations where the army engineers are there who build bridges, who try to evacuate people.
35:15So all of that is on a standby and will be soon responding as the Nepalese authorities will be informing.
35:23As always, Indian armed forces are on a standby and give them any assignment, any task in the worst of
35:28times in India or any other nation.
35:30I know that our army, air force, navy are always there in service of the country and humanity.
35:36Thank you very much, Iwani and Pranay on that.
35:38I have a big news coming in, ladies and gentlemen.
35:41We have some clarity coming in about some of the tourists who are missing in Nepal.
35:46And some of them appear to be from Tamil Nadu.
35:49The Dravidar Munitra Karagam's member of parliament, Dayanidhi Maran, has written a letter claiming 50 Tamil Nadu tourists are missing
35:57in the country.
35:59Dayanidhi Maran has written a letter to the External Affairs Ministry immediately.
36:03I quote from the letter content accessed by India today.
36:06Reports indicate that several people have lost their life.
36:10Many others, including nearly 50 tourists from Tamil Nadu, remain missing.
36:14I request you to kindly direct the Embassy of India and rescue teams to help stranded Indians secure their safe
36:19passage back home.
36:20I take this as an opportunity to thank you for the same and looking forward to hearing from you.
36:25So, at least there is some clarity coming in.
36:27We still do not know.
36:28And I want to say this with complete responsibility.
36:31We do not know if these tourists were possibly in the region where the floods have happened.
36:37Anagar Keishan joining me for the latest on that.
36:39Anagar, tell us more about the letter.
36:41What are you hearing?
36:42What about the connection with these tourists?
36:45Well, in fact, the DMC Members of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran has returned to the Ministry of External Affairs,
36:51seeking their urgent intervention for the rescue and safe repatriation of Indian tourists,
36:56you know, who are stuck and stranded in the Nepal floods.
37:00Dayanidhi Maran has mentioned that there are close to 50 tourists from Tamil Nadu particularly,
37:05who are stuck in this Nepal floods and therefore has requested the Union Government to ensure this intervention
37:13and make sure that they are sent back.
37:15That's Fainadi Maran there who has just written a letter to External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.
37:21He has also said that given the rapidly evolving circumstances and the disruption to communication and transportation networks,
37:27there is considerable anxiety among the families in Tamil Nadu.
37:31So, therefore, please make sure that communication is streamlined and the tourists who are stuck are safely repatriated back to
37:38India,
37:38is what Dayanidhi Maran has urged Dr. Daishankar to interfere.
37:43Anagar, also help me understand if, in case you have clarity on this,
37:47that were these tourists from Tamil Nadu in the region where the flash flood has happened?
37:52Were they in Nepal, otherwise in other locations?
37:55Any details on that about whether they could have been directly impacted?
38:01Well, in fact, at the moment we don't have details about where the tourists really were,
38:06whether they were in Nepal or surrounding areas of Nepal.
38:09To what extent have they all been harmed?
38:11At the moment we do not have confirmation about these details.
38:15But what we do know, according to Dayanidhi Maran, is that there are 50 tourists from Tamil Nadu, is what
38:20he claims.
38:20But unless and until it comes officially from the Union Government,
38:24we really can't commit on the number of people as well.
38:26This is the members of parliament, Daini Di Maran, who says that there are close to 50 Tamil Nadu tourists
38:32who are stuck there.
38:33So, therefore, he has urged immediate government intervention to make sure that the anxieties of families are being addressed by
38:40the Union Government,
38:41to make sure that communication is streamlined and very safely and urgently, all the tourists who are stuck there are
38:47repatriated back to India.
38:49Continue to wait for further details and let's just hope they would not be impacted by the flash flood,
38:55that they would be perhaps in safer areas.
38:57But the fact that they are still missing, there has not been enough contact with all 50 of them,
39:01raises a concern.
39:13That's the first clarity that we have.
39:15Not a good one though, but at least about over 100 Indians who are missing,
39:20among 384 foreign nationals who have gone missing, who cannot be traced.
39:24According to the embassies that are trying to locate its citizens,
39:28we know that 50 at least missing for now appear to be from Tamil Nadu.
39:34And that is why the DMK MP has written to the External Affairs Minister.
39:43It's an understanding about what does it look like.
39:46And I understand that many of, many even in India, may not be aware about the geography, the terrain of
39:52the place.
39:53So we'll try and help you understand about what happened.
39:56But Nepal's foreign minister maintains that there was an earthquake early this morning,
40:00at about 8.22am, that hit Nepal, or basically hit regions in Tibet.
40:06Alright, look at that.
40:07My team has prepared this map for you, to help you understand.
40:10This is very important.
40:11So there was, this is what we are quoting from the facts that have come in.
40:16There was a 4.4 on the Richter scale earthquake that took place right at the border for Nepal,
40:21which is in the Tibet region.
40:23And that is when, this is about 8.22am, 26th August.
40:2847 kilometres from Nepal border, which is not really much of a distance.
40:33Now, you may think 4.4 is not a high one on a Richter scale,
40:38but it's always about the depth and the impact to the nearby areas that basically decide.
40:45And because these were mountain terrains and hilly terrains,
40:49the impact was immediate with regard to the flash flood that happened.
40:53And that is why terrains and areas and geography matters.
40:56Why this is maybe too much of a coincidence and why Nepal's foreign minister mentioned it.
41:028.22, the earthquake happens.
41:04By 8.25, flash floods have been reported.
41:08Barely the next three to four minutes reported from different areas.
41:128.45am is when it starts to hit several of these areas in and around the Ruseva area.
41:23Look at that.
41:24So that's what happened, an earthquake.
41:26Did that trigger the flash flood?
41:28That is what Nepal's foreign minister and other researchers are saying.
41:31But of course, further investigation will reveal about what exactly happened.
41:35But it's the damage for all of us to see on this.
41:43All right, big news now coming in.
41:45Indian Air Force already on assignment, ladies and gentlemen.
41:49The C-130J, it's a transport aircraft, will be departing from Hinden tonight itself.
41:56India is not wasting time.
41:58Transport aircraft is not just for rescue operation, which it can help in.
42:02But the chopper can also possibly assist with a lot of relief material that can be sent.
42:07C-17 is carrying relief supplies as well that may depart tonight or in the next few hours.
42:14But it's the time that is of essence.
42:17So India is ensuring that whatever can be sent as soon as possible will be sent.
42:21And of course, the first concern will be to save as many lives as possible.
42:26Shivani Sharma is getting us that big news as well.
42:29And if she's with us, I'll go across to her.
42:32Yes, Shivani, tell me about how and why India is not wasting any time immediately pressing the C-17 into
42:39service.
42:40Can you confirm to us if this is C-17 or C-130 and possibly why?
42:44Which one is chosen?
42:47Both of them are ready to fly.
42:49And in fact, the C-130J is likely to depart from Hinden late tonight because the arrangements are to be
42:56made.
42:56The relief material is to be loaded.
42:58The personnel have to fly.
43:01So everything is being made ready.
43:03And according to the needs and where it is required exactly in Nepal, that has to be chosen and made
43:09sure for the Indian Air Force to send the relief material.
43:13So it's all being done right now.
43:15Even as we speak, there are medicines that have been loaded there, the food material and whatever Nepal requires.
43:23So that coordination is being made.
43:26The demands are being taken.
43:27The requisition is being taken.
43:29And accordingly, the whole material will be flown.
43:33And C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force will be flying tonight.
43:37And the C-17 Globemaster that also happens to be one of the important and strategic transport aircraft of the
43:43Indian Air Force will be flying tomorrow.
43:45So two aircraft which are now ready, they are being prepared with the relief material, with the earth moving machinery,
43:54with the doctors team, the medical team, the medicines and also the fabricated sheets that will be required for people
44:02to stay.
44:03So all this material is being prepared.
44:06It's being loaded on these two aircraft of the Indian Air Force and soon will be flying to Nepal.
44:12The C-130 is ready and it will be taking off tonight.
44:16That's what we are learning from the sources, Pudra.
44:19It will depart from Hinden Air Base of the Indian Air Force and the other one will be flying from
44:25Pallon.
44:26That's what we know so far.
44:28So more teams will be kept ready as the requirements and results come from the Nepal side.
44:35Shivani, thank you very much.
44:36We'll be waiting for further updates from you about what is the prep for our Defence Forces to immediately assist
44:41Nepal as and when required.
44:43So remember the transport aircraft will help in rescue operations and as much with the rescue equipment or material that's
44:51required.
44:52And a word of appreciation for our Air Force pilots on standby immediately leaving for a mission like this to
45:00be able to be of service, not just to India, of course, but like I said, humanity and anyone who
45:05requires it.
45:06That's what Indian Air Force has always been about.
45:07I also want you to now listen in from this voice in Kathmandu, in Nepal, where a climate researcher, professor
45:15with Kathmandu University, Professor Rijan, is telling us this about what could have triggered such a flash flood.
45:22Visuals catching everyone's attention across the world.
45:28Mr. Rijan, I just want to first get an assessment.
45:30What are you hearing, sir?
45:32What happened there in the area?
45:34What is the kind of damage that we are looking at?
45:38Yeah, just when I arrived today in Kathmandu, I received many calls that there was a huge flood.
45:46Then I started to gather some information.
45:49And based on those information, I can say for now that the big flood was maybe due to the blocking
45:56the Lende River by ice avalanche from a nearby glacier, which is in the Nepal site.
46:04And that Lende River is flowing from Tibet, China to Nepal side, and then it goes to Trishuli and others.
46:12Till now, we don't have clear proof what causes that big flood.
46:18And there was also saying that there was an earthquake of 4.4 rector scale.
46:26But we have to confirm whether that earthquake was before or after the big flood.
46:38Not the best news to really be breaking to you right now, but 133 Indian tourists confirmed missing.
46:44Now, when we use this word missing, ladies and gentlemen, it's with a lot of responsibility because basically it is
46:50either the embassy or the family or the kind of officials there are on the ground who are connecting to
46:56the tourists on record.
46:58The ones who they know are in these areas, possibly trying to connect to them, are unable to do so.
47:04That is why they are in the missing list.
47:06We're not going to make any conjecture or theory about whether they are alive or not.
47:11That, of course, will be further details and updates coming in.
47:15Rescue operations are pressed into service.
47:17But over 133 Indian tourists are confirmed missing right now.
47:2150 of them confirmed from Tamil Nadu for now, according to DMK MP Daya Nidhi Maran, who has written a
47:27letter to the Minister of External Affairs.
47:29But 133 Indian tourists, which means who have clearly gone to Nepal either on a visit, vacation or perhaps were
47:38taking the route and the pass toward Mansa Rovar.
47:42So, we are going to try and get you some clarity about what exactly is the detail that we are
47:50getting for you.
47:50That's an aerial visual for you on your screens.
47:54The aerial visual also one with the rescue operations.
47:57Look at that, you listen.
47:58It's so heartbreaking about how there are, from what I gather, possibly some children have been rescued
48:05or the aerial operation that are showing us about how areas are completely, completely, that have been inundated.
48:15Alright, I have the list of the missing on our screens.
48:19This is the list of the missing.
48:21I continue to maintain and do not sound alarming.
48:25The MSCs and the officials are trying to get in touch, but the names are on the list.
48:32If, in case you know or you're aware of any of them, if you're in Nepal and know them,
48:39can contact the officials' help and the hotline numbers to confirm that they are alive and safe.
48:46If you are a family member of any of them here in the country, here in India,
48:51if you have any details that you want to share, you can call on these toll-free helpline numbers.
48:56Pranay Upadhyaya, India Today Global Editor, is joining me.
48:59Pranay, what are the details that we have about these Indian tourists?
49:04Were they there on a specific vacation plan? Any other issue?
49:09And when we say missing, Pranay, do reiterate for the viewer, it means missing and nothing more.
49:15Absolutely, they are just missing.
49:16This is the information shared by the Nepalese government that around 133 Indians,
49:21which includes the larger number of over 460 foreign nationals, which includes 133 Indians.
49:30They are missing right now because as you know that this area, which is badly impacted by this flash flood,
49:36communication is totally down in that area.
49:39And therefore, the rescue, relief and rescue troops or authorities are not being able to contact all these people.
49:45Though different, you know, groups which are coordinating all these tourists, be it the pilgrims,
49:51those who are there or for the Kalashvansar over Yatra or the trackers or simple tourists.
49:56All these groups are also being trying to contact by the Nepalese government.
50:00They were also trying to reach out to these people through their groups and their coordinators.
50:05But right now, the number is and which is certainly a concerning number, Pooja,
50:10133 Indian tourists are missing in Nepal after this flash flood, which is a very big number.
50:15And that's why the government of India is also constantly watching this entire development in the situation in Nepal.
50:21And in fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as you have also reported, that Prime Minister Modi spoke to his Nepalese
50:27counterpart,
50:28Prime Minister Balen Shah. India is extending all possible help.
50:30The two aircraft of Indian Air Force, C-130J and C-17 are being sent to Nepal with relief and
50:37rescue material.
50:38All the other, you know, disaster relief troops, disaster relief teams are also being kept on standby.
50:44So this is a developing situation.
50:46The situation is regularly being monitored by the Nepalese government.
50:49So tell me this, quickly, that's the list on your screens, ladies and gentlemen.
50:53The names that could be confirmed and therefore, we are putting it out as the ones who are confirmed missing.
51:00If there is any information that you have, in case anyone watching this in Kathmandu, in Nepal or even here,
51:08if there's any information that you can bring to us about the clarity about them,
51:14that is why the numbers have gone, the names have gone out.
51:16If you are one of them who have been watching.
51:19Alright, so India is 133. Look at that.
51:22Australia, Belarus, Canada has about 24.
51:26So closely followed from India, 133 number of persons.
51:32Nobody has been found.
51:33And that is why 133 have been mentioned here.
51:38And also we go across to, there's Finland, France, Germany, Hungary.
51:43There are about two Irish tourists as well.
51:48Why, if you're wondering, how many of them were there in Nepal in these areas?
51:52Remember, it's a massive tourist destination as well.
51:55There are a lot of mountaineers who head into Nepal and it's not just for a vacation.
52:00There's also, interestingly, Malaysia has about 19.
52:05From Nepal itself, approximately 60 are missing and other European countries as well.
52:10So India is there on the top with about 133 still missing.
52:16That's an official list.
52:17Pranay, can I come to you on this?
52:19When we talk about the 133 missing, the Ruswa area where this has happened,
52:27is there a clarity that they would be there?
52:29That they were in the impacted area?
52:32Or is it just because there's no contact with them?
52:36Unfortunately, there is no clarity as yet, Pooja, that what exactly is the location of all these Indians,
52:42because this is a wider area where, you know, Indian tourists are possibly there.
52:47Or if you see that, if you glance through that entire list, higher number of people are from India.
52:54The missing list has the high representation of India, 133.
52:58And in fact, the Nepalese, those who are missing in this list, is only 59.
53:01So more Indians are missing than as compared to the Nepalese.
53:04But besides that, many Western nationalities are also there in this list.
53:09And the relief and rescue teams are already on ground.
53:12They are also trying to locate these people both on foot as well as through the aerial surveillance and aerial
53:20search for these missing individuals.
53:23Though this list remains dynamic, Pooja, because the Nepalese government is constantly monitoring through the control room this list.
53:32And this is also getting updated if there is any discovery or if there is any information regarding any missing
53:38personnel.
53:39And that's why we also ask or request our viewers as well that if you have any detail about your
53:45people or your family members, those who are missing,
53:48you can reach out or you can reach out to these helpline numbers so that the government authorities can also
53:53get to know about the missing individuals.
53:56And this list can be, you know, updated as well as help can be sent out to those who are
54:02out or those who are trying to reach out to the authorities.
54:05Pranay, keep tracking all the latest on that.
54:07Remember, our colleagues across the newsroom are going to ensure through the night we get you updates about what's happening
54:13in Nepal.
54:14This is as much about Nepal as about the missing Indian tourists.
54:17And I can only imagine the family members here in the country who would have them missing in Nepal.
54:23It's going to be a long night for many of them as well.
54:26I'm heading into a short break, but stay tuned.
54:28This is without a doubt the top big story on India today.
54:31At 6pm I return and I'm going to tell you all the latest confirmed updates on the Nepal flash floods.
54:37Prayers with all those affected.
54:40Stay tuned, stay safe.