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๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Singapore /Disasters & Emergencies

Nepal-Tibet Floods: At Least 11 Malaysians Missing Amidst Devastation

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Massive floods in Nepal's Rasuwa district have resulted in at least 160 deaths and hundreds missing, including an estimated 11 Malaysians.
  • An avalanche in the mountains triggered the floods, destroying villages and sweeping away homes and infrastructure.
  • Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with local authorities for search and rescue efforts and advises citizens in Nepal to remain vigilant.

Hundreds of people remain missing after devastating floods swept through Nepal's Rasuwa district, with at least 11 Malaysians among those unaccounted for. The disaster, triggered by an avalanche in the snowy mountains, has decimated villages and claimed at least 160 lives.

Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that its embassy in Kathmandu lost contact with 11 Malaysian nationals believed to be in the severely affected Rasuwa district, near the border with China. Nepali authorities, however, have reported a higher figure, stating that 17 Malaysians are among over 300 foreigners missing.

The embassy is actively coordinating with local authorities and the search and rescue teams currently being deployed by the Nepalese government to locate the affected Malaysians and ascertain their safety.

โ€” Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign AffairsStatement on the ongoing efforts to find missing Malaysians.

The deluge of water caused widespread destruction, sweeping away houses, cars, and buildings. Essential infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power and communication lines, has been severely damaged, hampering rescue efforts and contact with those affected.

The information is being verified and cross-checked in coordination with travel agencies guides, local authorities and security agencies.

โ€” Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign AffairsExplaining the process of confirming details about the missing individuals.

The Malaysian embassy is actively collaborating with local authorities and deploying search and rescue teams to locate the missing citizens and ensure their safety. The ministry has urged Malaysians in Nepal to stay vigilant, prioritize their safety, and follow instructions from local officials. They are also encouraged to register their contact details via the e-Konsular portal for timely assistance.

In response to the crisis, the Nepal Tourism Board has advised visitors to avoid traveling near rivers, riverbanks, and low-lying areas. Tourists are reminded to remain in safe locations and refrain from unnecessary movement until the situation stabilizes. The ministry will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as verified information becomes available.

Visitors are also reminded to remain in safe locations and avoid unnecessary movement until the situation becomes clearer.

โ€” Nepal Tourism BoardAdvisory for tourists in affected areas.
About this summary

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.