Rugged terrain hampers search efforts

Helicopter search area to be expanded

A bridge on the road leading to a hydropower plant being built by Korea South-East Power (KOEN) and Doosan Enerbility is blocked by debris in Bidur, Nepal, on Saturday (local time). [Yonhap]
A bridge on the road leading to a hydropower plant being built by Korea South-East Power (KOEN) and Doosan Enerbility is blocked by debris in Bidur, Nepal, on Saturday (local time). [Yonhap]

Helicopters operated by the South Korean government conducted two aerial searches over the Nepal flood disaster zone but failed to locate any of the missing. The joint rapid response team plans to expand the search area Sunday in coordination with Nepali authorities.

On Saturday (local time), the government's joint rapid response team deployed a chartered civilian helicopter twice to survey the site. Overland access to the area is impossible, making helicopters the only option, but Nepali authorities had until then restricted foreign helicopter operations, citing concerns about secondary flooding. After receiving flight clearance, the team carried out two search runs — at 11:45 a.m. and 12:38 p.m.

The rapid response team said it had flown to areas where survivors were believed to be present but found the terrain extremely difficult to navigate. "The site was densely forested and steeply sloped, making access very difficult," the team said. "We could not confirm whether the ground was stable enough to land, so we conducted only visual checks from the air, secured video footage and returned."

The government dispatched nine additional personnel to Nepal — eight from the National Fire Agency and one from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — given the prolonged search and the need for expanded on-site response. Combined with the 11 members sent in the first deployment on Thursday, the total number of personnel on the ground has risen to 20.

An overseas emergency relief team is also on standby for deployment by transport aircraft. The government said it has actively conveyed its willingness to provide the team to Nepal and is prepared to deploy at any time should Nepal accept the offer.

However, Nepal is understood to be conducting its rescue operations primarily through its own military and police, taking into account the unique conditions of the area and the need for efficient command and control. Nepali authorities have indicated they will make a separate request if additional support is needed.

Nine South Koreans have lost contact following a massive flood in the Himalayan mountain region along the Nepal-China border, while 10 other South Koreans who had been stranded were evacuated to safety. All of the South Koreans involved are employees of Korea South-East Power (KOEN) and Doosan Enerbility, which were building a hydropower plant in the area.


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