A specialist Australian drone team is being sent to Nepal to support the search for people missing after devastating flash floods along the Nepal-China border, with 38 Australians still unaccounted for.
The team, comprising personnel from Fire and Rescue NSW and the Queensland Fire Department, is expected to leave in the coming days and will assist local authorities with aerial searches and damage assessment.
The floods struck the region on August 26, sweeping through communities along the Trishuli River and destroying homes, roads and bridges. Rescue workers have been inspecting damaged structures and searching areas affected by mud and debris.
Five Australians reported missing after the disaster have since been located safely, but Australian officials remain concerned for the 38 people whose welfare has not yet been confirmed.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said Australian officials were continuing to work with authorities in Nepal and China to locate those still missing. Twelve Australian officials have already been sent to the disaster zone to help with consular support, rescue coordination and the identification of Australians.
Australia increases humanitarian support for Nepal
Australia has also committed an additional $3 million in humanitarian assistance to Nepal, taking its total support for the response to $11 million.
The aid includes food, clean water, hygiene and sanitation supplies, emergency shelter and solar lights. A Royal Australian Air Force aircraft has been used to transport relief supplies to Kathmandu.
The Australian Government said the latest assistance would support both the immediate rescue effort and the recovery of communities affected by the floods.
Nepalese authorities and international rescue teams continue to search the disaster zone, while families of missing people await news amid difficult conditions along the mountainous border region.
