Nepal Flash Floods: IAF C-130, C-17, and C-295 Aircraft Ready With Relief Supplies; NDRF Team on Standby
Nepal floods: India is preparing an immediate relief mission as devastating flash floods leave at least 19 dead and hundreds missing, including more than 100 Indians. IAF C-130 and C-17 aircraft carrying relief supplies are on standby, while an NDRF flood rescue team is ready for deployment subject to Nepal’s approval. PM Modi spoke to Balendra Shah.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is fully prepared to undertake relief and rescue operations in Nepal after devastating flash floods killed at least 19 people and left hundreds missing, including more than 100 Indians, Ministry of Defence sources said on Wednesday, August 26. A C-130 aircraft is scheduled to leave for Nepal at 7 pm carrying relief supplies, while a C-17 aircraft is planned to depart at 6 am on Thursday.
India is preparing tents, blankets, medicines and other essential supplies for the flood-hit neighbouring country. The NDRF has also been placed on standby with a flood rescue team, although its deployment will depend on Nepal’s formal agreement to receive Indian personnel. Nepal Flash Flood: PM Narendra Modi Speaks to Balendra Shah, Says ‘India Stands in Solidarity’.
IAF C-130, C-17, and C-295 Aircraft Ready With Relief Supplies for Nepal
The Indian Air Force has kept its transport aircraft fleet, including the C-17, C-130J and C-295, on standby for relief operations in Nepal due to flash floods there. A C-130 J transport aircraft is expected to take off with relief material to Nepal by late evening today: Sources
— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2026
IAF Aircraft Put On Standby After Nepal Flash Flood
According to government sources, the IAF has placed C-17 and C-130 aircraft on standby for the relief mission. The C-130 aircraft is slated to carry relief material, primarily tents, blankets and other essential items. A C-17 sortie is planned for Thursday morning.
The aircraft can also transport medicines and earth-moving equipment if required as part of the relief and rescue effort. India has said it remains ready to provide all possible assistance to Nepal as rescue and damage-assessment operations continue. Nepal Flood Videos: What We Know About the Devastation and 105 Missing Indians.
NDRF Team Ready For Deployment
An NDRF flood rescue team has also been kept ready for deployment to Nepal. Sources said the team is expected to move on Thursday morning. However, its deployment remains subject to Nepal’s formal agreement for the presence of Indian rescue personnel. The IAF is similarly prepared to undertake any relief or rescue task assigned by the government.
The flash floods were triggered by floodwaters coming from the Tibetan side of the border and caused extensive damage in Nepal’s Nuwakot and Dhading districts.
Several villages and settlements were affected, while roads and bridges were washed away. Hydropower projects and other infrastructure have also suffered damage. The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster-response personnel to the affected areas as authorities continue rescue and assessment operations.
384 Travellers Reported Missing
According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers are reported missing from the affected areas. The figure includes 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. Among the missing foreign nationals are 105 Indians and 37 NRIs, according to the figures cited by the authorities.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal has issued emergency contact numbers for Indians seeking assistance or information: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500. The number of missing people and the casualty figures could change as rescue teams gain access to affected locations and authorities verify reports.
PM Narendra Modi Speaks To Balendra Shah
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives caused by the floods.
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts," reads PM Modi’s post on X.
The conversation came as Nepal continued rescue operations in areas affected by the sudden flooding.
India’s relief preparations include the deployment of aircraft, supplies and a potential NDRF rescue team. The C-130 flight planned for Wednesday evening and the C-17 sortie scheduled for Thursday are expected to form the initial phase of India’s assistance.
With rescue operations still underway and hundreds of people reported missing, authorities in both countries are continuing to coordinate on humanitarian assistance and the search for those unaccounted for.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2026 06:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
