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Donations to Nepal's Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund crossed Rs 2.295 billion after the deadly flash floods. The surge in aid reflects the scale of devastation as rescue teams continue searching for thousands missing.
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Kathmandu,UPDATED: Aug 29, 2026 14:14 IST
More than Rs 2.295 billion has been donated to Nepal Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund since massive flash floods battered the Himalayan nation, as the government steps up relief and rescue efforts in the affected areas.
The death toll from Wednesday's flash floods has risen to 626, while more than 2,400 people remain missing. Nearly 2,500 people have been evacuated so far after towns and villages were devastated, with homes, vehicles, roads and bridges washed away and hydropower projects damaged.
Following the floods, the Nepal government declared the affected areas disaster zones, leading to contributions from various organisations and individuals to the relief fund. According to sources at the Prime Minister's Office, the fund received Rs 1.91 billion within 36 hours from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday midnight, while assistance worth Rs 385.5 million was donated on Friday alone.
With the latest contributions, the fund's balance has gone up to Rs 4.09 billion from Rs 2.17 billion. The government has designated the Ministry of Finance as the focal ministry for collecting contributions and coordinating assistance. The ministry said the deposits were made to accounts held at 10 different commercial banks.
According to the finance minister's secretariat, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has been personally accepting contributions of Rs 10 million or more from institutional donors. It added that individual donors can provide cash contributions by visiting the ministry in person. Prime Minister Balendra Shah and members of his cabinet will also donate a month's salary to the disaster relief fund, a decision taken at a cabinet meeting on Friday.
As rescue teams continue search and relief operations, donations to the disaster relief fund have risen sharply, with the government putting in place a system to collect and coordinate assistance for those affected by the deadly flash floods.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Aug 29, 2026 14:14 IST
