Nepal needs help in technical areas, not search and rescue, foreign minister says

KATHMANDU — Nepal requires assistance in specialized and technical areas following the devastating flood that struck its Himalayan border with China, according to the country's foreign minister. However, Nepal does not need help with search and rescue efforts, Khanal stated to Reuters.

On Wednesday, a glacier collapse triggered a massive torrent of rock, ice, mud, and debris through the mountain river systems of both Nepal and China's Tibet. The disaster resulted in nearly 600 deaths in Nepal and over 2,000 people still missing, with more than 2,000 unaccounted for.

Khanal emphasized that Nepal needs foreign aid in areas such as rescuing individuals trapped in tunnels, repairing transportation and communication infrastructure affected by destroyed bridges, identifying and processing dead bodies, conducting DNA testing, and securely storing bodies for extended periods. He explained that Nepal has already reached out for specialized services and technical assistance in these challenging areas where the nation lacks the necessary expertise and technical knowledge.

Nepal's impoverished neighbor, India, along with China, has been approached for the provision of Bailey bridges to quickly restore early transport access in the affected regions.