Nepal reverses rejection of foreign aid for rescue operations

The Nepalese government has reversed its earlier decision to reject assistance from other countries in rescue operations following devastating floods that killed hundreds of people, amid “pressure” from other nations.

This was reported by the Kathmandu Post newspaper, citing a senior government official.

Previously on Friday (28/8), Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said that Nepal did not require foreign assistance for search and rescue operations following the flash flood disaster.

“We are receiving significant pressure from the international community to allow at least search and rescue teams and a number of experts, because their citizens are also missing due to the floods. We are allowing a limited number of experts in certain areas,” the official said, as quoted by the newspaper on Friday.

Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told the newspaper that foreign experts would assist local rescue teams in identifying bodies so that authorities could return them to families promptly.

Previously, the United Nations, the European Union, and several countries had provided financial assistance to Nepal amid the damage caused by the major floods.

Extremely strong water currents surged into the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s mountainous region on Wednesday (26/8).

The cause of the major floods was initially reported to be the result of an earthquake and subsequent landslides.

However, on Thursday (27/8), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) stated that the seismic activity was caused by a glacier collapse, not by underground tremors.

Based on the latest data, the death toll from the floods in Nepal has reached 626 people.