Nepal has said it does not need foreign assistance for search-and-rescue operations following a devastating flash flood that killed nearly 500 people and left hundreds of foreign nationals missing.
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry made the statement on Friday despite offers of assistance from several countries whose nationals are among those still missing after the disaster.
The flash flood swept through several towns, including areas in Rasuwa district near the Chinese border, destroying communities, damaging hydropower projects and killing close to 500 people.
Hundreds of foreign nationals remain unaccounted for following the disaster.
South Korea said it had already sent a response team to Nepal to assist with the situation and would also deploy a separate disaster relief team.
The South Korean government is particularly concerned about its nationals still missing in the affected areas.
Nepal’s decision not to seek foreign search-and-rescue assistance comes as rescue workers continue to search through debris and assess the extent of the destruction caused by the floods.
The disaster has also raised concerns about the risk of further flooding as authorities continue rescue and recovery operations in affected communities.
