Malaysian hikers feared victims of flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border

A group of ten Malaysian hikers, known as 'Team Loe,' is feared to have been caught in a devastating flash flood that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region. The climbers were traveling in two pickup trucks and were approximately 18 kilometers away from the main impact zone when the disaster occurred.

According to Azrul Zabani, a friend of the group, the hikers were traversing a known flash flood path due to the valley terrain. They had departed from Kathmandu early in the morning, heading towards the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border crossing en route to Lhasa, Tibet. The flash flood hit between 9 and 10 AM, reportedly while their vehicles were still 18 kilometers from the border.

Azrul expressed grave concern, stating, "My risk analysis says they are very likely to have been hit by the flash flood because they were on the flash flood path, as this area is a valley." Information from the Nepali operator managing their trip suggests the group may have still been inside their vehicles when the floodwaters surged. The tour guide accompanying them is also unaccounted for.

Rescue efforts are facing immense difficulties. The extent to which the vehicles were swept away is unknown, but finding the vehicles could provide clues to the hikers' whereabouts. The disaster area is described as severe, with dangerous conditions making access difficult and posing risks to rescue teams. Furthermore, the possibility of subsequent waves of flooding complicates the operation. The Nepalese government and rescue teams have deployed assets, including helicopters, but operations remain limited by the challenging terrain.

Communication with the Malaysian hikers has been impossible since the morning of the incident, further hindering efforts to ascertain their status. Azrul noted that if the group had managed to clear the border crossing before the flood, their chances of survival would be higher. The Malaysian Embassy in Nepal is reportedly working to obtain updates, while families have been advised to contact their respective insurance providers.