Nepal has turned down offers from several countries and international organisations to deploy search-and-rescue teams after catastrophic flash floods near the Nepal-China border killed at least 469 people and left hundreds missing.
The decision comes as rescue personnel continue searching through thick mud and debris following Wednesday’s sudden flooding along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems.
According to reports cited by The Kathmandu Post and Reuters, Nepal’s government has decided that its own security agencies should lead the ongoing search and rescue operation. The country’s foreign ministry reportedly received requests from China and other countries to send rescue personnel but declined the offers.
Nepal seeks financial assistance instead
Officials said Nepal’s decision was partly influenced by its experience during the 2015 earthquake, when the arrival of large numbers of international rescue teams created coordination and management challenges.
Rather than deploying foreign rescue personnel, Nepal is asking countries and international organisations to channel financial assistance through a single mechanism. International support is expected to play a larger role during the rehabilitation and reconstruction phases.
Nepal has nevertheless welcomed humanitarian assistance. The United States has pledged $500,000, while the World Health Organization has supplied emergency medical materials.
Hundreds remain missing
The scale of the disaster remains severe. Nepal Police said 469 people had died and 1,545 people had been rescued or injured. Disaster authorities said nearly 1,000 people were still missing, including 28 police personnel.
Nepal Police has deployed 4,348 personnel for search-and-rescue operations. Authorities have reported rescuing 644 people from Rasuwa, 898 from Nuwakot and three from Dhading.
Foreign nationals are also among those reported missing. According to The Kathmandu Post, 178 Indians, 65 Americans, 51 Malaysians, 53 Ukrainians, 33 Britons, 35 Australians and 25 Canadians remain unaccounted for. Chinese officials have separately said at least 100 Chinese nationals are out of contact.
Emergency control room set up
Nepal’s foreign ministry has established an Emergency Control Room to coordinate information, rescue efforts and consular assistance for foreign nationals affected by the disaster.
With rescue operations continuing across the flood-hit areas, authorities are now focused on locating missing people, clearing debris and providing assistance to survivors.
The government’s decision to keep the rescue operation under domestic control comes as the disaster’s death toll approaches 500, while international assistance is increasingly being directed towards humanitarian relief and the country’s eventual recovery.
