The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal has intensified diplomatic and consular efforts to locate foreign nationals who remain missing following the devastating Bhotekoshi floods in Rasuwa, while coordinating international support for rescue, relief, victim identification, and repatriation. According to the ministry’s latest situation update, around 600 foreign nationals from 35 countries are still reported missing after the August 26 floods. More than 300 foreign nationals have been rescued so far, while search and rescue operations continue in the affected areas.
The ministry is working closely with foreign governments, diplomatic missions and the families of missing individuals to gather information and support ongoing search efforts. The government has also been coordinating international assistance as authorities continue to deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
Diplomatic Coordination Intensifies
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has been in communication with his counterparts and representatives of foreign governments regarding the search, rescue and relief operations. The diplomatic coordination has particularly focused on locating foreign nationals who were in the flood-affected areas when the disaster occurred. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday, met with Khanal on Sunday.
Their discussions focused on the ongoing rescue operation and efforts to locate Korean nationals who remain unaccounted for following the floods. The ministry has also deployed Deputy Chief of Protocol Prem Raj Gautam to the field operation centre in the affected area. He has been tasked with strengthening coordination and providing assistance in the search and rescue of foreign nationals.
To maintain communication with families and relevant authorities, the ministry has established an Emergency Control Room, which coordinates with government agencies, Nepali diplomatic missions abroad, and families of missing foreign nationals. The control room is operating from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Nepal Seeks International Rescue Support
Nepal has received rescue and relief assistance from several countries and international organisations following the floods. The Foreign Ministry has so far coordinated the clearance of 26 flights carrying relief supplies, rescue personnel and other assistance from friendly countries and international organisations.
As search operations continue in difficult terrain, Nepal has also requested additional specialised equipment from the international community. The equipment being sought includes high-capacity drones, LiDAR systems, Bailey bridges, DNA testing kits, ground-penetrating radar, rescue vehicles and mobile air-traffic-control systems, as well as equipment designed to recover victims trapped beneath mud and debris. The ministry has been providing regular briefings to diplomatic representatives and domestic and international media to share updates on the rescue operation and international assistance being provided to Nepal.
DNA Identification and Repatriation Efforts
Alongside the search operation, authorities are working to identify bodies recovered from the affected areas. The Foreign Ministry is coordinating with Nepal Police and forensic teams from India, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea to carry out DNA-based identification. Families of missing foreign nationals have been requested to provide DNA profiles through Nepal Police or relevant authorities in their countries of residence. Such information will help forensic teams compare samples and establish the identities of recovered victims.
The ministry is also coordinating with Chinese authorities to facilitate the return of Nepali nationals affected by the floods. A total of 431 Nepali nationals had returned through the Tatopani border as of Saturday, while another 105 were expected to return on Sunday. Nepali diplomatic missions abroad have additionally been instructed to facilitate relief contributions from the Nepali diaspora, foreign nationals and community organisations where direct contributions to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund are not feasible.
Meanwhile, the ministry is engaging with foreign governments regarding travel advisories issued after the disaster. Nepal is seeking to ensure that international advisories focus specifically on the affected areas rather than the country as a whole, while communicating that other parts of Nepal remain open for travel and tourism. The ongoing diplomatic efforts are aimed at strengthening the search for missing foreign nationals, supporting affected families, and maintaining international cooperation as Nepal continues its recovery from the Bhotekoshi floods.
