The Nepal government has reversed its earlier decision to keep international search-and-rescue teams away from the Bhotekoshi areas affected by the flash floods, following diplomatic pressure from countries whose citizens are still missing after the disaster.
On Wednesday, the government had maintained that Nepali rescue teams were capable of carrying out the search operations and that foreign teams would not be permitted to participate.
However, within 24 hours, authorities decided to accept limited international assistance in specialised fields such as tunnel rescue operations, DNA analysis and forensic examinations.
“We received massive pressure from the international community to allow at least search-and-rescue teams and some experts because their citizens have also gone missing in the floods,” a senior government official told The Kathmandu Post. “We are allowing a limited number of experts in certain areas.”
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told Reuters that Nepal needed international support in specialised and technical fields where it lacked expertise after the devastating floods along its Himalayan border with China, but said foreign assistance was not required for general search-and-rescue operations.
MORE THAN 550 DEAD, NEARLY 2,000 STILL MISSING
The flash floods caused extensive destruction in settlements along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, with more than 550 people reported dead by Friday. Another 1,924 people are still missing, according to the Nepal Disaster Authority.
Indian nationals make up the largest group of missing foreigners, with 288 reported missing. They are followed by 100 Chinese nationals, 65 Americans, 53 Ukrainians, 35 Australians and 33 British citizens, based on the latest figures from the Nepal Tourism Board.
Following an assessment by Nepal’s National Disaster Management Centre, an inter-ministerial coordination committee approved assistance from India, China, Australia and South Korea. Specialists and technicians from these countries will support tunnel rescue efforts, DNA analysis and forensic investigations.
Other nations that have offered relief aid have also expressed interest in deploying specialist teams, although Nepal has not accepted every request.
Officials from at least two foreign embassies in Kathmandu said they had repeatedly requested permission to send teams to help locate their missing citizens but had yet to receive a favourable response.
576 PEOPLE MISSING AT UPPER TRISHULI-1
The situation remains especially serious at Upper Trishuli-1, a 216 MW run-of-river hydropower project, where 576 workers were still unaccounted for late Friday night. Around 1,350 people were working at the site when the disaster struck.
“576 people are uncontactable. There is no clear information about where they are. If some are trapped inside the tunnels and can be reached in time, there is a possibility of saving them,” said Uttam Bhlom, Senior Vice-President of the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN).
Rescue operations have been hampered by damaged roads and disrupted mobile and telephone networks caused by floods and landslides at several hydropower sites. The communications blackout has made it even harder for authorities to establish the whereabouts and condition of people who remain missing.
Authorities are also exploring the use of private helicopters to reach affected locations. However, a shortage of suitable landing areas, along with technical and safety concerns, has complicated aerial rescue efforts.
INDIA OFFERS ASSISTANCE, BEGINS RESCUE EFFORT
India has offered Nepal a tunnel rescue team, medical personnel and members of its National Disaster Response Force, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with his Nepali counterpart Khanal on Friday, reiterating New Delhi’s offer of various forms of assistance.
Jaishankar said a third flight carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid had also left for Kathmandu. The shipment included portable generators, dignity kits, food packets and water purification tablets.
An 11-member team comprising doctors, paramedics and tunnel rescue specialists was also dispatched to Nepal along with India’s fourth tranche of relief supplies.
SOUTH KOREA AND OTHER COUNTRIES OFFER SUPPORT
South Korea has also offered assistance after nine of its citizens lost contact following the floods.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said he had urged Kathmandu to facilitate the smooth deployment of a Korean Prompt Response Team for search-and-rescue efforts. Seoul is also preparing to send its Korea Disaster Relief Team.
International teams will concentrate on hydropower tunnels in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, where 14 projects have been impacted by the disaster.
Nepal will also receive international support for DNA testing because its laboratories have limited capacity. Khanal said foreign specialists would help handle the large number of samples and speed up the identification of bodies so they can be returned to their families.
