India sent a fifth relief aircraft to flood-hit Nepal on 2 Sept with a rescue team and medicines, airlifting aid to Kathmandu as floods disrupt travel.
Cover image: Aircraft parked at Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu, Nepal hub for relief flights — photo by Bijay Chaurasia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
India sent a fifth relief aircraft to flood-hit Nepal on 2 September 2026 with a rescue team and medicines, taking the Indian airlift to five flights in the current flood response. The aircraft, reported by DD India and News On Air on 2 September, ferried National Disaster Response Force personnel, medical supplies and rescue equipment to Kathmandu as rivers breached banks and landslides blocked highways.
The fifth flight follows four earlier Indian Air Force sorties that moved tents, food, water purification units and additional teams. Nepal's monsoon floods this week have displaced thousands in the Terai and disrupted road links between Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Indian border, while Tribhuvan International Airport has stayed operational with relief priority.
What was on the fifth aircraft?
DD India's 2 September dispatch describes the fifth aircraft as carrying:
- Rescue team: NDRF and Indian Air Force personnel for search and rescue in inundated districts
- Medicines: emergency medical kits for flood-related injuries and waterborne disease prevention
- Equipment: inflatable boats, pumps and communications gear for cut-off villages
- Context: the fifth flight in the sequence, after four earlier relief aircraft on the same Kathmandu shuttle
India and Nepal share open-border transit, so the airlift supplements road convoys that are slower when the East-West Highway and border crossings at Sonauli and Raxaul are waterlogged. The operation mirrors India's pattern of rapid IAF lifts to Nepal after earthquakes and floods, when road access is the limiting factor.
How are flights and travel affected?
Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu has kept its runway and terminal open, but airlines have retimed some services to accommodate relief slots and weather holds. Buddhi and Shree Airlines domestic services at TIA, seen in the cover image, continue but road access to the airport from downstream districts can be delayed by landslides.
For travellers:
- International to Kathmandu: international carriers are operating, but check your flight status on the day as priority is given to relief and medevac
- Domestic and road: expect delays on Kathmandu-Pokhara and Kathmandu-Chitwan roads. Helicopter shuttles and diverted flights are in use for some sectors
- Treks and tours: verify with operators before departing for Langtang, Annapurna or Everest regions, where trails are muddy and river crossings are high
See our Myanmar visa guide for a contrast of nearby permit regimes, and best time to visit Brunei from India for another monsoon-prone destination where shoulder-season planning matters. For Nepal specifically, the Indonesia safety guide framework on transport and health risks during floods applies with local specifics.
What should Indian travellers know before going?
Indians do not need a visa for Nepal and can enter with a valid Indian passport or Election Commission Voter ID with a photo. From 2026, Nepal still offers visa on arrival for most other nationalities at Kathmandu, Pokhara and land borders, with fees payable in dollars.
Practical steps this week:
- Carry cash and medicines, as ATMs and pharmacies in flood-hit districts may be intermittent
- Book flexible tickets and confirm hotel road access, not just flight arrival
- Follow the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology flood bulletins and your airline's SMS alerts
- Register with the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu if you are travelling outside the Valley
Relief flights typically taper once roads reopen. Until then, passenger loads to Kathmandu remain normal but with less buffer for delays, so keep one spare day before any onward international connection via Delhi.
| Flight | Date | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 1st relief aircraft | 1 Sept 2026 | Tents, food, NDRF team |
| 2nd–4th aircraft | 1–2 Sept | Water units, additional teams |
| 5th relief aircraft | 2 Sept 2026 | Rescue team + medicines |
Frequently asked questions
What did India send to Nepal on 2 September?
A fifth Indian Air Force relief aircraft carrying a rescue team and medicines for flood-hit Nepal, taking the total to five flights in the current operation, according to DD India and News On Air on 2 September.
Are Kathmandu flights operating during the floods?
Tribhuvan International Airport remains open but schedules can shift for relief priority and weather. Check with airlines before travel and allow extra time for road transfers, which are most affected by landslides.
Is it safe to travel to Nepal now?
Kathmandu Valley is accessible but several highways and trekking routes are disrupted by floods and landslides. Follow Nepal's Department of Hydrology and UK FCDO advisories, avoid river-adjacent roads and confirm hotel access before departing.
Does Nepal require a visa for Indians?
Indians do not need a visa for Nepal and can enter with a passport or Voter ID with a photo. Other nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu and other entry points.
