Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Monday thanked India for its assistance in the wake of the devastating floods and landslides that struck the Himalayan nation.

The August 26 disaster, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche in the upper Bhote Koshi watershed, unleashed tsunami-like flash floods across northern and central Nepal. Authorities have confirmed 1,452 deaths, with between 4,700 and 6,000 people still missing.

A rapid needs assessment by Nepal’s National Planning Commission and the disaster management authority has estimated the damage at $2.69 billion, with reconstruction and recovery costs projected at $4.77 billion, about 10 per cent of the country’s GDP. The World Bank has made up to $170 million in emergency financing available.

India was among the first countries to offer help after the disaster, which also affected areas downstream. Shah’s message of thanks underlines the close cooperation between the neighbours in disaster response.

The prime minister has separately urged the international community to provide grant-based assistance rather than loans, arguing that climate-vulnerable countries should not be pushed deeper into debt while rebuilding.