Nepal floods: could foreign rescue teams have been brought in earlier?

The Nepalese government has appealed for international rescue aid following catastrophic flash flooding near the border with China. The request comes just two days after the government had reportedly refused foreign assistance.

As a result of the disaster, several hundred people are still believed to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels. Additionally, thousands of individuals remain missing, raising questions over whether foreign rescue teams could have been brought in earlier to mitigate the crisis.