Nepal accepts international rescue teams after devastating flash floods

The government of Nepal has reversed its initial decision to decline foreign search and rescue teams following devastating flash floods in the northern Himalayan region. While authorities originally claimed local security forces had sufficient capacity, diplomatic pressure regarding missing foreign nationals led to a revised policy.

International experts will now be permitted to assist in specific areas, including rescues within hydroelectric tunnels, DNA testing, and forensic analysis. The floods heavily impacted fourteen hydroelectric projects in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, affecting sites such as Upper Trishuli-1 and Rasuwagadhi.

Several nations have committed specialized support. India has offered tunnel rescue teams and medical personnel, while South Korea is seeking to deploy teams to locate its missing citizens. China and Australia are also expected to send specialists. The disaster has resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating over 550 deaths and nearly 1,000 people missing.