Fate of 55 Malaysians in Nepal remains unknown after devastating floods

The whereabouts of 55 Malaysian nationals in Nepal remain unknown following devastating floods that swept through the region earlier this week. Families in Malaysia are desperately trying to establish contact, but efforts have been hampered by widespread communication disruptions and damaged infrastructure.

Mohd Firdaus Azman, the Malaysian Chargé d'Affaires in Kathmandu, confirmed that the embassy is actively gathering information. "We are still collecting information on Malaysians who cannot be contacted. Family members have failed to reach over 50 Malaysians," he told Bernama news agency.

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We are still collecting information on Malaysians who cannot be contacted. Family members have failed to reach over 50 Malaysians.

Access to affected areas has been severely limited due to the floods of the Bhote Koshi River. The Nepalese government has deployed helicopters for search and rescue operations. Firdaus noted that obtaining information about the missing Malaysians is challenging due to the damage to communication networks. Malaysians seeking to locate relatives or friends are urged to email their passport and travel details to the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu to aid in coordination efforts.

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We are in contact with the authorities.

The death toll from the floods has surpassed 160, with hundreds more, including tourists and Nepalese security personnel, still missing. At least 142 Indian nationals are among the foreign citizens reported missing. The floods, triggered by a glacial lake outburst, have destroyed villages, bridges, and several power projects. A seismic event initially reported as an earthquake was later identified by the USGS as a glacial collapse and debris flow, not a tectonic earthquake.

Flash floods originating from China entered Nepal via the Bhote Koshi River in the Rasuwa district, destroying 19 bridges and 40 kilometers of highway, according to The Kathmandu Post. Police have halted vehicle movement from Kathmandu to the heavily affected districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading. CCTV footage from the Gyirong border port in China shows buildings and vehicles being swept away by the powerful currents.

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Malaysians who are trying to locate their relatives or friends need to send the passport and travel details of the individuals concerned via email to the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu at [email protected] for coordination purposes.