Nepal says foreign aid open as own forces lead Rasuwa flood rescue

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Aug 28, 2026 19:44 IST

Nepal on Friday said it has not refused assistance from friendly countries and the international community after the massive flash flood that hit Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal on Wednesday. The government said it wants to prioritise the maximum deployment of its own security forces at the initial stage, as they are familiar with the country's terrain and local conditions.

The flood has killed at least 579 people and left nearly 1,000 missing, according to Nepal police. The disaster has also caused heavy damage to settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure, prompting large-scale rescue and relief operations across the affected areas.

Several countries, including India, have offered help for rescue and relief work. Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the government wanted to prioritise maximum deployment of its own security forces in the initial phase, but made it clear that assistance from friendly countries and the international community had not been turned down.

Speaking to the News Agency (RSS), Khanal said, " assistance was not rejected but that the rescue strategy was decided based on national capacity, immediate need and Nepal's unique geographical situation." He said teams from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police are used to Nepal's geographical features, rugged terrain and local environmental conditions.

"Since deploying an external rescue team in unfamiliar terrain can add complexity to coordination and technical management and may also create unforeseen risks, rescue operations were carried out using the available national capacity," the minister said. Khanal added that the government was ready to take international assistance in difficult cases where special technical skills are needed for extremely complex physical structures.

Nepal has asked India and China to help construct 42 Bailey bridges to restore transport services in the flood-hit areas. The portable bridges are designed for quick assembly without heavy machinery or special tools. According to an aide to Khanal, Nepal sought help from its neighbours after more than three dozen bridges were swept away by the flash flood. As an immediate response to the disaster, India has already sent two tranches of relief materials to support Nepal's relief and rehabilitation work.

In sum, Nepal has said it is relying first on its own security forces for rescue operations after the devastating flash flood, while remaining open to international assistance for specialised needs, even as it seeks support from India and China to rebuild key bridges and restore connectivity.

With PTI Inputs

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