Nepal has reversed its decision to reject foreign rescue assistance following international pressure over missing nationals. India, China, Australia and South Korea will provide specialised support for tunnel rescues, DNA testing and forensic identification after devastating flash floods.

The Nepal government has reversed its decision to keep international search-and-rescue teams out of the Bhotekoshi flash flood-hit areas, following diplomatic pressure from countries whose nationals remain missing after the disaster.

The government had said on Wednesday that Nepali rescuers were capable of handling the search operations and that foreign rescue teams would not be allowed.

However, within a day, authorities decided to seek limited international assistance in specialised areas, including tunnel rescues, DNA testing and forensic examinations.

“We received massive pressure from the international community to allow at least search-and-rescue teams and some experts because their citizens have also gone missing in the floods,” a senior government official told The Kathmandu Post. “We are allowing a limited number of experts in certain areas.”