Nepal seeks global tunnel rescue aid after floods kill hundreds

Nepal has sought more international help for tunnel rescue, forensic work and relief after deadly floods. The requests underscore the scale of destruction and the challenge of finding and identifying the missing.Stock photo used for illustrationNepal has sought more international support, including specialised equipment and technical assistance for tunnel rescue and forensic work, as rescue operations continue after floods that have killed hundreds and left thousands missing. Officials said help has already arrived from several countries, while more teams and supplies are being coordinated.At a press briefing in Kathmandu on Monday, foreign ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said Nepal had asked for essential non-food items and services such as freezers, DNA testing kits and LiDAR from the US, relief-specific items such as DVI from Singapore, and belly bridges and high-capacity drones from China and Singapore. He said the country has so far received airtight bags for the management of bodies, with more also being delivered.Chhetri said Nepali agencies are working with specialised technical teams from India and China on tunnel rescue operations. Officials also said a team from South Korea has been mobilised. According to Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coordination is under way to mobilise a DVI team from Singapore. A team of 18 forensic experts from India specialising in DNA analysis has been in Nepal since August 29.Nepal has received rescue support from India, China, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and other countries and development partners. "Items in this regard include bridge units, freezers, generator sets, solar lamps, DNA testing kits, bridge units, emergency relief equipment as well as tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets and medicines," Chhetri said. He said relief materials have also been received from India, China, the UAE and other countries. More supplies are coming from the UAE, Myanmar, the US, Qatar, the UK, Australia, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other friendly countries, as well as international organisations and partners such as the UN, WHO, WFP and UNICEF. "We have also received generous pledges of financial assistance from our friends and partners from across the globe. We deeply value support and assistance in this difficult time, and we are truly grateful," Chhetri added.The flash floods were triggered by a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26. The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects, as Nepal continues rescue and relief work with international support. With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 31, 2026 20:40 IST