Indian volunteers push relief to Nepal's cut-off flood zones

A week after catastrophic flash floods devastated parts of Nepal, Indian volunteers are mounting a difficult logistical push to reach families still cut off from basic aid. In Trishuli, nearly 20 members of one family are now sharing a single room after their home was destroyed, a scene repeated across remote settlements where homes, livestock, and livelihoods have been lost.

Volunteers from the relief group Khalsa Aid are travelling up to ten hours from Kathmandu over washed-out roads and damaged bridges to deliver food, bedding, and household essentials. In Rasuwa district, some affected areas remain entirely inaccessible by road, forcing teams to rely on helicopters at a cost of roughly $2,000 per trip.

“Almost a week after the floods, some of the more accessible areas are slowly seeing relief reach them, but our biggest concern now is reaching the families who have been most severely affected and remain isolated,” said Manohar Naidu, a volunteer.

The group reports that mass burials are underway as mortuaries run out of space, with forest land being cleared to accommodate bodies as the death toll climbs and many victims remain unidentified.

Demand for supplies such as mattresses, solar lights, and household goods is outstripping local availability. Volunteers are also documenting long-term needs, including shelter, clean water, sanitation, and restoring education for children.

The organisation has proposed adopting severely affected villages for sustained support and is seeking official permission to clear debris and restore connectivity. Ten Indian volunteers, many with prior disaster-response experience, are currently on the ground handling logistics, assessments, and distribution.