A massive flood in the Himalayan region along the Nepal-China border has resulted in nearly 600 fatalities. In a significant policy shift, the Nepalese government, which had previously denied entry to foreign search and rescue teams, has now accepted assistance from South Korea and three other countries.
According to Yonhap News on August 29, the Nepalese government has approved limited support from experts in South Korea, India, China, and Australia in three specific areas: structural work inside hydropower plant tunnels, DNA testing, and forensic investigations.
Just a day earlier, Nepal had stated it would not accept foreign rescue teams, except for financial aid. However, under intense diplomatic pressure from countries with missing nationals, it partially reversed its decision. Requests for assistance from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan were not accepted.
In response to the Nepalese government's change of stance, the South Korean government is ramping up its rescue efforts. On the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched a joint rapid response team of nine members, consisting of one official from the ministry and eight from the National Fire Agency, to Nepal. The team is expected to arrive in Kathmandu after departing from Incheon International Airport.
This follows the initial deployment of an 11-member advance team led by Im Sang-woo, a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on August 27. With the addition of the nine new members, the total size of the response team has reached 20, fully engaged in the search and rescue operations for the missing individuals. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Park Jin met with the families of the missing persons currently in South Korea, promising comprehensive government support.
Currently, Nepalese military authorities are attempting to rescue over 100 individuals trapped inside the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli (UT)-1 hydropower plant, which was inundated by the flood. This facility, the largest power plant under construction in Nepal, is being built by Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power. Nine South Koreans, including six employees of Doosan Enerbility and three from Korea South-East Power, are unaccounted for.
However, rescue operations are facing significant challenges due to thick layers of mud covering the site. Additionally, ground access is impossible, making aerial searches essential. However, the Nepalese authorities have strictly controlled foreign helicopter operations due to concerns about a second flood. Of the six helicopters secured by the government and companies, only one from Korea South-East Power was deployed for search efforts the previous day, and only one from Doosan Enerbility has received flight clearance today.
As of now, the death toll from the catastrophic flood and landslide that occurred on August 26 has reached 586, with 2,478 individuals reported missing, marking one of the worst disasters in the region's history.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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