The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal has risen to 579, according to the latest figures released by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). At least 1,924 people are missing in Nepal, the country’s disaster relief agency says: Among them are at least 517 foreign nationals – but the situation is fast-moving and different authorities have produced different figures
Authorities said around 4,000 people have been rescued following the disaster, which caused widespread destruction across towns and villages in the Himalayan region.
Nepal’s government has said it does not currently require assistance from foreign countries to conduct search and rescue operations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said on Friday (August 28) that Nepal’s security agencies were capable of carrying out the ongoing operations.
“The offer for help is natural. Our security agencies are doing the search and rescue operation. For now, we don’t require such help,” Chhetri said.
According to The Kathmandu Post, Nepal has received both official and unofficial requests from several countries and organisations seeking to deploy their own search and rescue teams. However, the government has informed them that Nepal’s security forces are capable of managing the operation.
Countries including India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have reportedly offered to send search and rescue teams.
Instead of foreign rescue teams, Nepal is seeking financial assistance through a single government channel. The Foreign Ministry has instructed its overseas missions to direct financial contributions to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
The government is expected to seek further financial assistance and other support during the reconstruction phase. The US and UK have already offered financial assistance.
South Korea has pledged US$1 million in humanitarian assistance through international organisations. Its Foreign Ministry said it would continue discussions with Nepal regarding the deployment of assistance.
Nine South Koreans working at a hydropower plant were reported missing, while another 10 were stranded following the disaster.
The Kathmandu Post reported that Nepal’s decision to rely on its own security forces was partly influenced by its experience during the 2015 earthquake, when the arrival of large numbers of foreign search and rescue teams created significant coordination and management challenges.
The decision was also made based on recommendations from the Nepali Army and police.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established an Emergency Response Team (ERT) to assist foreign nationals affected by the floods in Rasuwa district.
The ministry said the ERT would serve as the central coordinating body for search and rescue efforts, information verification and consular assistance relating to foreign nationals affected by, missing in, or otherwise connected to the disaster.
The floods followed a glacier collapse on Wednesday morning, sending a massive torrent of rock, ice, mud and debris through Himalayan river systems.
The disaster destroyed villages, power stations, roads and bridges along a major route connecting Kathmandu with Lhasa in Tibet, an area also popular with trekkers and pilgrims.
Earlier reports had placed the death toll at 469, with nearly 1,000 people reported missing in Nepal and neighbouring Tibet. At least 540 of those reported missing were foreigners, according to earlier reports.
Nepal’s Tourism Board said foreign nationals out of contact included citizens of Australia, Britain, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa and South Korea.
SOURCES – BBC, CNA
The post Nepal Flood Death Toll Rises to 579 appeared first on LNW Lanka News Web.
