India sends 11-member rescue team to Nepal after deadly flash floods

An 11-member Indian team reached Nepal on Saturday to help with rescue operations after devastating flash floods killed more than 500 people.

Nearly 2,000 people are still missing, according to reports.

The team includes medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts. It was sent after a request from the Nepal government, according to Indian embassy sources.

The team will assist rescue operations in areas badly affected by the floods.

The flash floods hit Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal on Wednesday. More than 500 people were killed in the disaster.

The floods also damaged settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.

Nepal said on Friday that it wanted to prioritise the deployment of its own security forces. Officials said they were familiar with the local conditions and difficult terrain.

However, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Nepal was prepared to accept international help in difficult cases. He said foreign assistance could be used where special technical skills were needed for complex rescue operations.

Nepal has also asked India and China to help build 42 Bailey bridges in flood-hit areas. 

Bailey bridges are portable structures that can be assembled quickly. They can be built without heavy machinery or specialised tools.

The bridges are expected to help restore transport links in areas cut off by the floods.  (with inputs from PTI)