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

Kathmandu, Nepal is seeking specialized foreign assistance following a devastating flood that struck its Himalayan border with China, killing nearly 600 people and leaving over 2,400 still unaccounted for. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal stated that Nepal does not require help with search and rescue operations, which are being handled by Nepali rescuers.

However, the country urgently needs technical support in areas such as identifying dead bodies, DNA testing, storing bodies for extended periods, rescuing individuals trapped in tunnels, repairing damaged transport and communication infrastructure, and addressing the challenges posed by destroyed bridges. Khanal had initially insisted that Nepal could manage rescue efforts independently, but later clarified that assistance in technical areas is necessary due to the lack of expertise and technical know-how in these domains.

Neighboring India and China, which share borders with Nepal, have been approached for the provision of Bailey bridges to expedite the restoration of transport and communication services in the disaster-stricken region.