KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intensified diplomatic and consular efforts to trace hundreds of foreign nationals missing in the Bhotekoshi floods, coordinate international rescue assistance and facilitate the identification and repatriation of victims.

According to the ministry’s latest situation update, around 600 foreign nationals from 35 countries remain missing following the August 26 floods. More than 300 foreigners have been rescued so far.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has been coordinating with his counterparts and foreign governments over the search, rescue and relief efforts. Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday, met Khanal on Sunday to discuss the ongoing operation and efforts to locate missing Korean nationals.

The ministry has also deployed Deputy Chief of Protocol Prem Raj Gautam at the field operation centre in the affected area to coordinate and assist in the search and rescue of foreign nationals.

An Emergency Control Room has been established at the ministry to coordinate with government agencies, Nepali diplomatic missions abroad and families of missing foreign nationals. The control room is operating from 6am to 10pm and can be contacted through its dedicated telephone and WhatsApp numbers.

The ministry said it has also organised briefings for the diplomatic corps and domestic and international media to provide updates on the rescue operation and foreign assistance being received by Nepal.

Nepal has received assistance from dozens of countries and international organisations, while the ministry has coordinated the clearance of 26 flights carrying relief supplies and rescue teams from friendly countries and international organisations.

At the ministry’s request, additional specialised equipment for the search and rescue operation is also being sought from the international community. The requested equipment includes high-capacity drones, LiDAR, Bailey bridges, DNA testing kits, ground-penetrating radar, rescue vehicles, mobile air-traffic-control systems and equipment for recovering victims from mud and debris.

The ministry is also coordinating the DNA identification of recovered bodies with Nepal Police and forensic teams from India, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Families of missing people have been asked to provide DNA profiles through Nepal Police or their respective countries of residence to assist the identification process.

Meanwhile, the ministry and Nepali missions in China are 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, with another 105 expected to return on Sunday.

The ministry has further directed Nepali missions abroad 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.

It is also working with foreign governments to ensure travel advisories issued following the disaster are limited to the specifically affected areas, while communicating that the rest of Nepal remains open and safe for travel and tourism.