RismadarVoice Reporters, August 29, 2026
Nepal has requested specialised international technical assistance to manage the aftermath of a devastating flood that has killed at least 626 people and left thousands missing, as heavy rainfall continues to disrupt rescue operations.
Authorities suspended search and rescue activities on Saturday due to poor weather conditions, including persistent rain and fog, while the government said it needs between $4 billion and $5 billion to rebuild damaged infrastructure.
The disaster, which struck Nepal’s border region with Tibet on Wednesday, was triggered by a glacier collapse that sent a massive flow of ice, rocks, mud and debris through mountain river systems, destroying buildings, bridges and power facilities.
Nearly 3,000 people remain missing, including more than 2,400 in Nepal and over 500 in Tibet. Many of those unaccounted for are foreign nationals, including Hindu pilgrims from India.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the country does not require general search and rescue assistance but needs specialised support in areas where local capacity is limited.
He said Nepal requires technical help for rescuing people trapped in tunnels, restoring damaged transport and communication networks, identifying bodies, conducting DNA testing and preserving remains.
“Search and rescue operations have been temporarily halted because it is raining and the weather is foggy,” Narendra Pariyar, a senior official in the affected Rasuwa district, said.
Authorities are also monitoring two upstream lakes near the disaster area after one overflowed into Nepal’s Lhende Khola and Trishuli rivers, raising concerns about further flooding.
China and Nepal have continued assessing risks, with experts warning that unstable glacial lakes in the Himalayan region could pose additional threats.
India has sent relief supplies, including food, medicines, blankets and water purification tablets, while also offering disaster response teams, tunnel rescue specialists and technical support to restore damaged infrastructure.
China has called for international cooperation in responding to the disaster but has not provided details on its specific assistance.
Nepal’s Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said the estimated reconstruction cost remains preliminary as authorities continue assessing the extent of destruction.
The government said rebuilding efforts will focus on restoring critical infrastructure and supporting communities affected by one of the country’s deadliest recent natural disasters.
