Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has thanked India, China, the United States and other countries for providing assistance after devastating floods struck the country on August 26. Shah said international support and solidarity were providing strength to Nepal as rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts continued.
Addressing Parliament, Shah acknowledged the assistance received from neighbouring countries and other international partners. The response comes as Nepal continues to deal with deaths, missing people, damaged infrastructure and communities that remain difficult to access following the disaster.
Nepal PM Balendra Shah Thanks India and China
Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed gratitude to India, China and other countries for their support following the devastating floods in Nepal.
Shah made the remarks while addressing Nepal's Parliament, where he discussed the government's ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation response. He said messages of solidarity and assistance from friendly countries and international organisations were important to Nepal during the crisis.
The Prime Minister also indicated that Nepal expected continued support from the international community as the country moved from emergency rescue operations toward relief and reconstruction.
The latest development adds a diplomatic dimension to Nepal's response as authorities continue dealing with the consequences of the disaster.
India Provides Timely Flood Assistance
India has been among the countries providing assistance to Nepal after the floods. Indian support has included humanitarian supplies as well as specialised personnel and technical assistance for rescue and recovery operations.
Specialist teams from India have been involved in areas where technical expertise is required, including tunnel search operations and forensic identification work.
The assistance comes as Nepal continues searching for people missing from severely affected areas, including hydropower facilities where workers are believed to have been trapped inside tunnels.
Shah's acknowledgement of India's support highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation during a large-scale disaster in the Himalayan region.
China Also Supports Nepal's Relief Efforts
China has also provided assistance to Nepal following the August 26 disaster. Chinese support has included technical and humanitarian assistance as rescue teams work in difficult mountain terrain.
The Nepal government has sought specialised international expertise as conventional rescue methods have proved difficult at some hydropower projects and isolated locations.
Cooperation with China is particularly significant because parts of the disaster affected areas close to the Nepal-China border and the broader Himalayan region.
Nepal's authorities continue to coordinate with international partners while keeping domestic rescue and emergency agencies at the centre of the response.
Several Countries Send Assistance to Nepal
Nepal has received assistance and expressions of solidarity from a wide range of countries following the disaster.
According to reports, support has come from India, China, the United States, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, Japan and the United Kingdom, among others.
The assistance has included relief materials, medical supplies, technical expertise and other forms of emergency support.
The Nepal government has thanked supporting countries, international organisations and agencies involved in the disaster response.
Rescue Operations Continue in Flood-Hit Areas
International assistance is arriving as Nepal continues rescue and recovery operations across areas affected by the floods.
One of the biggest challenges is the search for people believed to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels. Floodwater, mud and debris have blocked access to several underground areas, forcing rescue teams to use excavation equipment and specialised techniques.
Rescue teams are also working in communities where roads, bridges and communications infrastructure were damaged or destroyed.
The difficult mountain terrain has made ground-based rescue operations particularly challenging, increasing the importance of helicopters and temporary access routes.
Flood Damage Creates Major Recovery Challenge
The disaster has caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, telecommunications networks and hydropower infrastructure.
Some communities remain isolated because transport links were washed away or badly damaged. Restoring roads and bridges is therefore becoming an important part of the recovery effort.
Telecommunications infrastructure was also damaged in several affected districts, complicating communication between rescue teams, local authorities and residents.
The recovery phase is expected to require significant resources because rebuilding damaged infrastructure will take considerably longer than the initial emergency response.
Nepal Faces Continuing Humanitarian Needs
Thousands of people have been affected by the disaster and many families continue to wait for information about missing relatives.
Emergency needs include shelter, food, clean drinking water, medical assistance and access to isolated communities.
Humanitarian organisations and government agencies are distributing relief supplies while rescue teams continue searching high-risk locations.
The identification of recovered remains is another important part of the response. Forensic and DNA specialists can help authorities identify victims when conventional identification methods are not possible.
Climate Compensation Debate Emerges
Prime Minister Shah's comments came amid a wider discussion in Nepal about climate responsibility and international support after the disaster.
Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has called for greater international responsibility toward countries that are highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Khanal has argued that assistance should not be viewed only as charity and has raised the issue of climate compensation and climate justice.
The discussion comes as Nepal seeks immediate humanitarian support while also highlighting the longer-term risks faced by Himalayan countries from climate-related hazards.
The compensation debate is separate from the emergency relief assistance already being provided by India, China and other international partners.
Nepal Seeks Continued International Support
Shah said Nepal would continue to need support from the international community as rescue and recovery efforts progress.
The government's priorities include locating missing people, helping displaced families, restoring essential services and reopening damaged transport routes.
Nepal will also need to assess the longer-term impact on hydropower facilities, tourism, local businesses and communities located along the affected river corridors.
International cooperation could remain important during the transition from emergency response to reconstruction.
What Happens Next
Nepal's immediate focus remains on search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and restoring access to isolated communities.
Search teams are continuing operations at hydropower projects and other locations where people remain missing. Authorities are also working to verify casualty and missing-person figures as more affected areas become accessible.
In the longer term, Nepal is expected to focus on rebuilding damaged infrastructure and strengthening disaster-preparedness systems in vulnerable Himalayan areas.
The August 26 disaster has also increased attention on early-warning systems, hazard monitoring and the need for faster communication during sudden floods and other mountain emergencies.
Key Facts
| Topic | Latest Information |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Balendra Shah |
| Disaster date | August 26, 2026 |
| Major affected areas | Flood-hit areas of Nepal, particularly communities along the Bhotekoshi and affected Himalayan corridors |
| India's role | Humanitarian assistance and specialised technical support |
| China's role | Humanitarian and technical assistance for Nepal's disaster response |
| Other international support | Assistance and solidarity from the United States and several other countries |
| Major rescue challenge | Hydropower tunnels, damaged infrastructure and difficult mountain terrain |
| Current focus | Search and rescue, relief, victim identification and infrastructure recovery |
Note: Casualty and missing-person figures remain subject to verification as rescue teams reach additional affected areas and authorities reconcile reports.
Related Coverage
- Nepal-Tibet Floods: Hundreds Dead, Nearly 3,000 Missing
- Nepal-Tibet Floods Latest Updates: Rescue Operations Continue
This article should be updated when Nepalese authorities release significant new verified information about international assistance, casualties, missing people, rescue operations or recovery efforts.