Nepal reverses course, allows foreign rescue teams after deadly Himalayan flood

Nepal reversed its refusal to accept international search and rescue teams on Friday, bowing to diplomatic pressure from countries whose citizens remain missing after a devastating flash flood tore through the Himalayan border region three days earlier. The government approved limited specialist assistance from India, China, Australia, and South Korea in three areas: hydropower tunnel rescue operations, DNA testing, and forensic identification of bodies.biz.chosun+2

A Policy That Lasted Less Than a Day

Earlier on Friday, Nepal's foreign ministry had stated that its own security agencies were capable of handling rescue operations and that international help was not needed. "For now we don't require such help," spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said. The government instead directed countries to channel financial support through the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.channelnewsasia+1

But the stance buckled within hours. A senior government official told the Kathmandu Post that Nepal had faced "enormous pressure" from countries with missing nationals to allow at least some foreign experts into disaster zones. Based on an assessment by the National Disaster Management Centre, an inter-ministerial coordination committee gave the green light to the four approved nations. The United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh also requested access but were not approved.mk+3

Hundreds Still Trapped and Missing

The flood, triggered by what scientists believe was a glacial collapse near Gyirong on the Tibet-Nepal border on Wednesday, August 26, sent a wall of mud, rock, and water cascading through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems. As of Friday, 579 people had been confirmed dead in Nepal with 1,924 still missing, according to the country's disaster management authority. On the Chinese side, state media reported 554 people unaccounted for.english.aawsat

Foreign rescue teams will focus on hydropower tunnels in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, where 14 projects were damaged. More than 100 workers remained trapped inside the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant tunnel, a facility being built with involvement from Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power. Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said international forensic capacity was essential given the scale of the disaster. "We need to conduct DNA tests on a large number of samples," he said.tob+2

Foreigners Among the Missing

At least 511 foreign nationals remained unaccounted for as of Friday, according to Nepal's foreign ministry. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that 56 Ukrainian citizens were being sought in the disaster zone, revising an earlier figure of 64 after verifying that some listed individuals had not traveled. South Korea is searching for nine workers — six from Doosan Enerbility and three from Korea South-East Power — using locally leased helicopters, though thick mud has hampered access. Australia announced a $5 million assistance package, while South Korea has pledged $1 million in humanitarian aid.unn+4