Nepal authorizes foreign expert teams to assist in flood rescue operations

The government of Nepal has authorized foreign technical and expert teams to assist in relief and rescue operations following devastating floods. This decision marks a shift from the previous stance that domestic security agencies were sufficient to manage the crisis.

According to the National Disaster Management Center, foreign experts will focus on specialized tasks, including searching for individuals trapped in tunnels, conducting forensic investigations, and performing DNA testing for victim identification. The scale of the disaster is significant, with reports indicating at least 579 deaths and 1,924 people missing, including 517 foreign nationals and 933 hydropower project workers.

India has offered extensive support, including the deployment of expert teams for tunnel searches, medical teams, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Additionally, India plans to provide Bailey bridges to restore connectivity in areas where roads and bridges have been destroyed. Relief aircraft have already arrived in Nepal.