Nepal Turns To India, China For Rescue Support As 2,400 Remain Missing: ‘$5 Billion Needed To Rebuild’

Last Updated:August 29, 2026, 9:15 PM IST

An 11-member technical reconnaissance team from India specialising in tunnel rescue has been deployed.

A drone view shows mud covering properties following a flash flood in Trishuli, Nuwakot district, Nepal. (Source: Reuters)

Nepal has sought specialised assistance from India and China to intensify search-and-rescue operations after devastating floods left at least 675 people dead and around 2,400 people missing, according to a report in Nepal’s English daily, The Himalayan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that an 11-member technical reconnaissance team from India specialising in tunnel rescue had been deployed. A specialised tunnel-rescue team from China is also expected to reach Nepal soon. Kathmandu has additionally requested technical support to detect survivors trapped in affected areas, conduct rapid forensic and DNA analysis, and provide mortuary facilities for recovered bodies.

Nepal Floods: Over 4,000 People Rescued

More than 4,450 people, including over 187 foreign nationals, have been rescued, the Ministry said. Operations are continuing across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan, while authorities verify information on those still missing. Follow for live updates

Nepal has also rejected claims that it refused foreign assistance, saying the scale of destruction requires international support for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction. More than 57 tonnes of relief supplies have already arrived from India, while China, Japan, Australia and other countries have also provided essential aid.

Nepal Floods Leave Trail Of Destruction

The disaster has severely damaged roads, bridges, houses, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure. Nepal is assessing the losses to determine its reconstruction needs.

The country is expected to require $4 billion to $5 billion for rebuilding, Nepal’s Finance Minister told Reutersunderscoring the enormous economic burden caused by the floods.

Search operations resumed on Saturday after being temporarily suspended because of poor weather and concerns over an overflowing lake near the Nepal-Tibet border. Authorities are also monitoring other upstream lakes for potential flood risks.

So far, around 626 bodies have been recovered, with some are too badly decomposed for immediate identification; officials said DNA testing would be carried out.

“DNA samples will be collected, and the bodies will be buried in an open space,” the Chitwan district administration said in a notice.

Quick Answers

Powered by

Ask News18

How will Nepal fund the $5 billion needed for rebuilding?

Nepal expects to require between $4 billion and $5 billion for rebuilding efforts. The country plans to fund this through international support for rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. The World Bank has offered up to Nepalese Rs 25 billion in emergency financial assistance, and China has pledged immediate financial aid.

What long-term impact will these floods have on Nepal’s economy?

The floods in Nepal have damaged hydropower plants, reducing the country’s generation capacity by about 8% and potentially leading Nepal to seek electricity from India to cover shortfalls. The disaster has also impacted financial markets, with the Nepal Stock Exchange declining due to concerns over losses for companies and insurers. Roads, bridges, and a crucial trade route to the Chinese border have been damaged, which could affect business, trade, tourism, and border economies.

Could similar flood disasters be prevented in Nepal’s future?

Preventing similar flood disasters in Nepal’s future could involve implementing an early warning system, especially from China, to monitor Himalayan glacial lake outburst floods. Experts also recommend a scientific assessment of potentially hazardous glacial lakes and their downstream areas, along with land use policies in the Himalayas.

Powered by

Ask News18

About the Author

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish…Read More

Read More