New Delhi: Bolstering its disaster response efforts following catastrophic flash floods that have left hundreds missing, India dispatched a second aircraft to Nepal on Thursday loaded with 37.5 tonnes of crucial food, essential medicines, and humanitarian aid.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to the social media platform X to reaffirm New Delhi’s commitment to supporting Kathmandu’s search and rescue operations. “A second flight has just taken off, carrying 37.5 tonnes of HADR material, medicines & food packets for Nepal,” he stated. Emphasizing the close bilateral coordination, he added, “India remains in close and continuous touch with the Nepalese authorities. We will continue to strongly support the ongoing relief efforts.”

Thursday’s airlift follows an initial 10-tonne relief shipment sent on Wednesday. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava formally handed the supplies over to Nepal’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadak Raj Paudel.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal echoed New Delhi’s official posture, stating that India stands resolutely by Nepal and is fully committed to providing all feasible assistance. The comprehensive aid packages are designed to support communities devastated by massive landslides and severe inundation. Triggered by intense monsoon rains, the disaster has displaced thousands of families across several provinces, inflicting widespread damage on agriculture, residential areas, and public infrastructure.

The rapid humanitarian response reflects India’s enduring “Neighbourhood First” policy, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to offering immediate crisis relief to regional partners.

Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel overseeing the swift deployment detailed the operation’s logistics. Speaking to ANI, C-17 Globemaster Aircraft Commander L Nayak outlined Thursday’s mission: “Today, we are carrying approximately 30 to 40 tons of relief material, medical supplies, and NDRF payloads. The flight time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes; we will be departing at 9:30 AM and landing in Kathmandu at around 10:45 AM. We are carrying adequate fuel to hold in the air for 1 to 1.5 hours if necessary. If the delay is prolonged and we cannot land, we have earmarked two airbases within India, and they have been informed that we may divert there to refuel.”

Air Commodore R Dobhal, AOC Hindon Air Force Station, also spoke to ANI about the initial Wednesday dispatch and the military’s broader operational readiness. “Since we are always ready for such contingencies, we immediately prepared a C-130J Hercules aircraft. We loaded it with relief materials, medicines, and generators, tasks accomplished with the assistance of civil authorities and the NDRF. We readied the aircraft and launched it as quickly as possible; it took off around 8.30 PM, landed in Nepal within two hours, and delivered approximately 10 tonnes of supplies. The Indian Air Force frequently conducts relief operations, both within India and in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Recently, an operation was carried out in Venezuela; the Indian Air Force stands ready to assist anywhere in the world whenever the need arises. Regarding current operations, one aircraft has already departed, and a C-17 is scheduled to leave today; we are fully prepared should further assistance be required.”