In Brief:

• India sent 13 military personnel and 19 forensic experts with emergency supplies
• Fourth Indian flight delivered 11 tonnes of relief
• India's total relief contribution so far: 57.5 tonnes of materials
• China deployed four tunnel-rescue experts with specialised equipment
• Two Y-20 transport aircraft brought 50 tonnes of supplies
• Bhotekoshi and Trishuli corridors devastated by August 26 floods, leaving people trapped in hydropower tunnels
• US pledged $500,000, Australia committed $1 million for rehabilitation
• World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other countries also pledged assistance

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 30 International assistance to Nepal following the devastating Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods has moved beyond relief supplies, with India and China deploying specialist teams to help search for people trapped inside hydropower tunnels. India sent 13 military personnel and a 19-member forensic team, along with its latest consignment of emergency supplies. The fourth Indian flight carrying 11 tonnes of materials landed in Nepal on Sunday, including search-and-rescue equipment, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, sleeping bags, blankets and sanitary kits. With this, India has provided about 57.5 tonnes of relief materials since the disaster. China also sent two Y-20 large transport aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force to Nepal on Sunday, carrying 50 tonnes of emergency supplies. The consignment included 13,200 items such as tents, blankets, sleeping bags, hardtack and first-aid kits, according to the Chinese Embassy. In addition, four Chinese tunnel-rescue experts with specialised equipment have joined the effort to locate and rescue people trapped inside hydropower tunnels. The Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors were devastated by flash floods on August 26, causing heavy loss of life and property and leaving people trapped in hydropower project tunnels. The international response has also included financial commitments. The US government pledged $500,000, while Australia committed $1 million for the management and rehabilitation of flood survivors. The World Bank, Asian Development Bank and several other countries have also pledged assistance for response and recovery efforts.