Nepal Allows Limited Foreign Help After Flash Floods Kill 579, 1,924 Missing

August 29, 2026

Kathmandu: As it continues to reel from the aftermath of flash floods that left hundreds dead, Nepal has agreed to allow limited foreign assistance for search and rescue operations, revising its earlier position. The development comes amid pressure from countries whose nationals are missing following Wednesday’s tragedy.

“We received massive pressure from the international community to allow at least search-and-rescue teams and some experts because their citizens have also gone missing in the floods,” reported The Kathmandu Post, citing a senior government official. “We are allowing a limited number of experts in certain areas.”

Nepal Allows Limited Foreign Assistance

Nepal had earlier declared that it would not accept foreign rescue teams and said its officials were capable enough to deal with the search operations. Later, the country had sought international financial assistance but maintained that it did not require assistance from foreign rescue teams.

“It is not that we will not need help, but our security network is capable and working effectively right now,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lok Bahadur Chhetri told AFP on Friday. “If Nepal needs any specialised help or expertise, then we will request it.”

However, Nepal’s revised position comes amid pressure from countries whose nationals remain missing following the tragedy. The country has now allowed teams and experts from India, China, Australia and South Korea to assist in rescue operations and conduct forensic examinations.

India, which was one of the first responders and has sent tonnes of relief material to Nepal, has already offered to send teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for search and rescue operations. New Delhi has maintained that it is ready to provide all possible assistance to Kathmandu that the local authorities might need.

579 Dead, 1,924 Missing

According to the latest figures, the death toll from the devastating flash floods in central Nepal has risen to 579, while 1,924 people remain missing. The figures were released by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Friday.

As per the latest figures provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), at least 320 Indians remain missing, while another 400 are stranded on the Chinese side. Meanwhile, 153 Indians stranded on the Chinese side have safely crossed over to Nepal.

India has continued to provide relief and rescue support to the Himalayan country amid the ongoing operations.

India Offers NDRF Teams

“We have also made a specific offer to the Nepal authorities to dispatch NDRF teams along with their associated equipment that can help in ongoing search and rescue operations and bring relief assistance to people impacted by the tragedy. We await a response from the government of Nepal on this front,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press briefing on Friday.

India has already sent relief supplies and medical assistance to Nepal as rescue operations continue across the flood-affected areas.

The devastating flash floods struck the Bhotekoshi River system on August 26, causing widespread destruction across central Nepal. Search and rescue operations have continued amid concerns over further flooding in the region.