Bangladesh offers 'all-out aid' to Nepal as flood death toll hits 289

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has discussed the devastation caused by flash floods and landslides in Nepal with his Nepali counterpart Shishir Khanal, offering Bangladesh’s full support.

In a phone call on Thursday, Khalilur said Bangladesh was ready to provide whatever assistance Nepal needs after it assesses the damage and its requirements.

He told reporters at the foreign ministry that Kathmandu is likely to communicate its needs by Thursday evening or Friday.

The minister said he conveyed condolences from Bangladesh’s prime minister and people over the deaths and damage caused by the natural disaster.

“We have offered them all-out cooperation.”

He added that Nepal's foreign minister told him the country was currently assessing the extent of the damage and the types of assistance required.

Khalilur said the two sides also discussed working together should any Bangladeshi nationals be found among the dead or missing.

"I told him we still do not know whether any Bangladeshi has been affected by this. If so, they should let us know," he said. "If they do, we will fully cooperate with them to bring them back, whatever condition they are in."

Asked about preparations to send aid to Nepal, he said: "That will happen once they inform us. We cannot do it in advance, but we are ready."

On the whereabouts of any Bangladeshi nationals, he said no names had come up so far.

"Several foreign tourists were heading towards Mansarovar when this happened. If we learn of any Bangladeshi, alive or dead, we will fully cooperate to take proper action. Their foreign minister expressed the same sentiment."

According to The Kathmandu Post, the death toll from Wednesday's flash floods had reached 289 as of Thursday afternoon, with hundreds of others, including foreign tourists, still out of contact.

Nepali police said the bodies recovered so far included 108 in Chitwan, 62 in Nawalparasi East, 27 in Dhading, 20 in Gorkha, 17 in Rasuwa, 15 in Nawalparasi West, 12 in Nuwakot, and nine in Tanahun.

The floods tore through Rasuwa and other districts before surging downstream along the Trishuli and Narayani river systems, damaging settlements, roads and bridges.

Government agencies and security forces continue search, rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.