These teams will assist in searching for and rescuing people trapped inside tunnels, as well as in identifying bodies through DNA testing and forensic investigations.
The Nepal government on Friday decided to accept foreign assistance for relief and rescue operations following the devastating floods, taking a U-turn from its earlier stance of refusing help from foreign teams.
Following an assessment by Nepal’s National Disaster Management Centre, India, China, Australia and South Korea have been allowed to send their experts and technical teams.
The teams will assist in searching for and rescuing people trapped inside tunnels, as well as in identifying bodies through DNA testing and forensic investigations. The decision is believed to have come amid pressure from several countries over their nationals who remain missing.
“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. We are allowing a limited number of experts in certain areas,” a senior government official told The Kathmandu Post.
The Balen Shah-led government had earlier expressed confidence that its security agencies were capable of conducting the rescue and relief operations. A central mechanism was also created to coordinate information on thousands of foreign nationals who remain untraceable.
Nepal’s disaster authority raised sharply the number of missing to 1,924, two days after devastating floods that killed at least 579 in the country.
The number of missing includes 517 foreigners, as well as 933 workers on hydropower projects on the rivers where a wall of water powered down on Wednesday morning, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
India Offers Help To Nepal
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke with his Nepalese counterpart, Shisir Khanal, and offered India’s support for rescue and relief operations following the devastating floods.
Jaishankar said India is sending a team of experts to help with rescue efforts and will also provide Bailey bridges, which Nepal needs to restore connectivity in affected areas.
“Right now, our effort is on supporting Nepal in the relief and rescue of people. Even today, I spoke in the morning to the Nepal Foreign Minister. We have given them a range of support offers, and they are evaluating them. Whatever they feel is appropriate, they will pick up for their needs.
“Right now, the main thing is that in one place where there is a hydroelectric project, there could be a possibility of people who may be in a tunnel. So, we are sending a team to help with the experts. Also, they need some Bailey bridges, so we are sending bridges.
“There may be some medical teams also going out there. If they require NDRF, we will send them. Two planes of relief supplies have also gone out there, and a third plane will be taking off today.”
