Nepal has stated it requires international assistance in technical and specialized professional areas in which the country lacks expertise, but it does not yet need external search and rescue teams.
Shisir Khanal, Nepal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, told Reuters on the evening of Friday, 28 Aug 2025 GMT+7, that Nepal needs foreign help in specialized missions such as rescuing people trapped inside hydropower plant tunnels, restoring transport and communication systems where bridges were destroyed, identifying deceased persons and conducting DNA tests, and technologies to better preserve bodies for longer periods.
"We have formally requested specialized assistance and technical support in areas where we lack expertise and equipment," Khanal said. He added that Nepal has requested Bailey bridges from neighboring countries India and China to quickly reopen transportation routes after about 24 bridges in the disaster zones were destroyed.
Previously, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined foreign rescue assistance, stating that domestic personnel are still managing adequately. Khanal explained that Nepal’s rescue teams are already engaged in general search missions, so there is no need for overlapping external teams.
Hospitals face heavy strain; morgue freezer shortages become critical.
Nepalese rescue officials revealed that floodwaters carried deceased bodies as far as Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts—lowland areas about 100 kilometers from the disaster site. It is expected that more bodies will be found there. Currently, local hospitals are overwhelmed and face severe shortages of morgue freezers to store the bodies.
Officials also noted that the massive flooding caused widespread damage to schools, hospitals, hydropower plants, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, meaning Nepal will depend on international aid for ongoing reconstruction and recovery.
Khanal concluded that reports indicate people remain trapped inside hydropower plant tunnels. Since Nepal is still inexperienced with tunnel technology, urgent support is needed for equipment and specialized rescue expertise in tunnel operations.
. Source:channelnewsasia
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