Kathmandu, Aug. 31
With the growing
challenge to manage the dead bodies and mortal remains of the people killed in
the devastating Bhotekoshi foods, the government has requested
various countries for freezers, DNA testing kits and LiDAR, Disaster Victim
Identification (DVI) and high-capacity drones.
"We have requested for essential
non-food items and services like freezers, DNA testing kits and LiDAR from USA,
relief specific items like DVI from Singapore, Bailey bridges and high-capacity
drones from China and Singapore," Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MoFA) Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri informed at a press meet on Monday.
Some of the similar items are also expected
from Japan and the Republic of Korea very soon, he said.
Chhetri reiterated that Nepal immediately needed assistance and support for rescue and
relief operations, in areas like tunnel rescue, freezers, LiDAR, DNA and
forensic expertise. "Later during the rehabilitation and reconstruction
phase, we will require a significant level of support, which will be determined
by Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA)," he said.
So far, Nepal has received airtight bags
for the management of the dead bodies while more are also being delivered. A
team of 18 forensic experts from India specialising in DNA analysis is here
since August 29.
Nepali agencies are working with specialised
technical teams for tunnel rescue from India and China in coordination in
Mailung (Chilime) and Syafrubesi, and in Upper Trisuli 3A respectively. A team
from Republic of Korea is also mobilised.
The government is coordinating with the
international community, including the immediate neighbours, for additional
support.
According to the MoFA, a coordination to
mobilise DVI Team and drones from Singapore is under way.
In a telephone talk with Foreign Minister
Shisir Khanal on Monday, Singapore's Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan said
that Singapore was ready to provide humanitarian assistance based on Nepal's
needs.
Nepal has received rescue support from
India, China, Japan, the United States, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and
other countries and 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," said Chhetri.
Likewise, the relief materials have been
received from India China and the UAE and other countries. More supplies are
coming from the UAE, Myanmar, USA, Qatar, UK, Australia, Republic of Korea,
Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Myanmar, Bangladesh,
Pakistan and other friendly countries and international organisatons and
partners like UN, WHO, WFP and UNICEF, informed Chhetri.
"We have also received generous
pledges of monetary assistance from our friends and partners from across the
world. We deeply value support and assistance in this difficult time, and we
are truly grateful," he said.
'Rehabilitation support will require'
Chhetri said that since the damage caused
by the floods is extensive, a preliminary assessment of the needs is currently
under way and a detailed PDNA will be carried out for the actual figures for
rehabilitation and reconstruction of those critical infrastructure, like
houses, road networks, bridges and hydropower facilities have been damaged.
"We anticipate requiring international
assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction. As the assessment progresses,
we will communicate specific requirements later," he stated.
Meanwhile, Nepali diplomatic missions are
constantly sharing and updating verified information, and facilitating
communication with families of the foreigners killed or missing in the
disasters. "They are ready to extend any necessary assistance,
identification and repatriation procedures," according to the MoFA.
Many foreign nationals are still missing.
So, a dedicated Emergency Control Room at the Ministry is coordinating with
relevant agencies as well as with the families of missing people.
About 590 foreign nationals from 39
countries are still missing.
After returning from an inspection of the
flood-hit areas on Sunday, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said that the ground
reality is much more complex and devastating than what people have seen and
understood through different mediums.
"The word 'flood' can hardly capture
the actual experience and reality during this difficult time," he said.
The MoFA also informed that there has been
a regular real-time exchange of information between Nepal and China concerning
hydrological and meteorological data, as well as information related to flood
risks, avalanches, glacial lakes, water-induced disasters, among others.
By Monday afternoon, 903 bodies have been
recovered from the areas while about 4,200 people are still unaccounted for.
Over 10,000 people have been rescued from the regions, including over 323
foreign nationals.
Published in The Rising Nepal on 1 September 2026.
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