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Nepal has reversed its earlier decision to rely solely on domestic security agencies for search and rescue operations following the devastating flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border.
The government has now agreed to accept specialised foreign assistance as the scale of the disaster continues to overwhelm rescue efforts.
Several countries, including India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, had offered to send search-and-rescue teams.
The policy shift came amid growing concerns over the large number of people still missing and the difficulty of reaching remote areas affected by mud, debris and destroyed roads and bridges.
Nepal had initially said its army, police and armed police forces were capable of handling the rescue operation and that foreign teams were not required.
The catastrophic flooding, triggered by a glacier and rock collapse, has killed hundreds of people and left thousands missing.
Rescue operations have been further complicated by fears of additional flooding from a newly formed lake near the Nepal-China border.
The reversal is expected to allow international teams with specialised equipment and expertise to assist Nepalese authorities in reaching isolated communities and searching for survivors.
