Nepal finally agrees to foreign flood rescue help; India acts on its 'request'

Nepal has finally agreed to accept foreign aid for its flood rescue operations, reversing its initial refusal due to the overwhelming scale of devastation. The Kathmandu Post reported that India swiftly responded to Nepal's request for specialized support, dispatching an 11-member team of doctors, paramedics, and tunnel rescue experts.

The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that India was preparing to send these teams, including a recce team to assess ground conditions and equipment needs. Jaiswal also mentioned that one Bailey bridge is already in Nepal and ready for deployment to restore connectivity. Nepal reversed its earlier stance under pressure from international governments, particularly after receiving assurances that only a limited number of experts would be sent to help locate missing citizens.

The decision was further spurred by the limited progress in rescue operations, with dozens still missing inside hydropower tunnels in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Nepal also lacks the capacity for DNA testing and forensic identification, making foreign assistance crucial for identifying the deceased and returning bodies to families. India's third consignment of aid, weighing 10 tonnes, included portable generators, food packets, water purification tablets, and more. In total, India has provided Nepal with 57.5 tonnes of relief supplies since August 26.