Nepal has reversed its earlier decision to reject foreign search-and-rescue assistance following pressure from countries whose nationals remain missing after the devastating flash floods along the country's Himalayan border with China.
The government had initially maintained that Nepali rescue agencies were capable of handling the operation and would not allow foreign teams into the affected areas. It has now agreed to accept limited international assistance, particularly for specialised operations involving tunnel rescues, DNA testing and forensic identification.
India, China, Australia and South Korea are among the countries whose technical experts and specialists have been approved to assist Nepal.
NEPAL ALLOWS LIMITED FOREIGN ASSISTANCE
A senior Nepali government official said international pressure increased as foreign nationals remained unaccounted for following the floods.
The government has therefore agreed to allow a limited number of foreign experts to assist in areas where Nepal lacks specialised expertise.
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Nepal does not require outside help for general search-and-rescue operations but needs international support in specialised and technical fields.
The decision marks a reversal from Nepal's earlier position, announced after the disaster, that foreign rescue teams would not be permitted to operate in the affected regions.
MORE THAN 550 DEAD, NEARLY 2,000 MISSING
The flash floods devastated communities along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, with more than 550 people reported dead by Friday.
A further 1,924 people remain missing, according to Nepal's disaster authorities.
Indian nationals account for the largest number of missing foreign citizens, with 288 people unaccounted for. The list also includes 100 Chinese nationals, 65 Americans, 53 Ukrainians, 35 Australians and 33 British citizens.
Following an assessment by Nepal's National Disaster Management Centre, an inter-ministerial committee approved assistance from India, China, Australia and South Korea.
Specialist teams from these countries are expected to help with tunnel rescue operations, DNA testing and forensic examinations.
576 WORKERS STILL MISSING AT HYDROPOWER PROJECT
One of the most serious situations is at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project, a 216 MW run-of-river facility in Nepal.
As of Friday night, 576 workers remained unaccounted for. Around 1,350 people were working at the project when the floods struck.
Rescue operations have been complicated by damaged roads, landslides and disrupted telephone and mobile networks.
Officials fear some workers could be trapped inside hydropower tunnels, making specialised equipment and expertise particularly important.
Uttam Bhlom of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal, said that if people are trapped inside the tunnels and rescuers can reach them quickly, there could still be a chance of saving them.
Authorities are also considering private helicopters to reach isolated locations, although difficult terrain, limited landing areas and safety concerns have made aerial operations challenging.
INDIA STEPS UP RELIEF AND RESCUE SUPPORT
India has offered Nepal a specialised tunnel rescue team, medical personnel and teams from the National Disaster Response Force.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his Nepali counterpart Shisir Khanal and reiterated India's offer of assistance.
India has also continued sending humanitarian supplies to Kathmandu. A third relief flight carried 10 tonnes of essential supplies, including portable generators, dignity kits, food packets and water purification tablets.
An 11-member team comprising doctors, paramedics and tunnel rescue specialists was also dispatched alongside India's fourth tranche of relief material.
The assistance is particularly significant because Indian nationals make up the largest group of missing foreigners following the disaster.
SOUTH KOREA PREPARES RESCUE TEAM
South Korea has also sought access to the affected areas after nine of its citizens went out of contact.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun asked Kathmandu to facilitate the deployment of a Korean Prompt Response Team and said Seoul was preparing to send its Korea Disaster Relief Team.
The foreign specialists are expected to focus on hydropower tunnels in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, where 14 hydropower projects have been affected by the disaster.
FOREIGN EXPERTS TO HELP IDENTIFY VICTIMS
International assistance will not be limited to rescue operations.
Nepal is also seeking foreign expertise for DNA testing and forensic identification because its own laboratories have limited capacity to process the large number of samples generated by the disaster.
Foreign experts will help process samples and identify victims more quickly, allowing authorities to return remains to their families.
With thousands of people still missing and several communities cut off by damaged infrastructure, Nepal's decision to accept specialised international assistance could prove crucial in the next phase of the rescue and recovery effort.
