KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Search and rescue (SAR) efforts following the Nepal floods entered their third day on Friday, with the death toll having surpassed 500, while cross-checking and further verification continued for Malaysians reported as untraceable.
As of 2.22 pm Friday, two of the 57 Malaysians previously reported as untraceable following the disaster had been located, while 55 others remained unreachable.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Bilateral Affairs) Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin told Bernama that the figure remained subject to further verification based on information received from Nepalese authorities and relevant agencies.
The latest development came after Nepal’s tourism authorities released on Thursday evening a list of 537 foreigners from more than 30 countries reported out of contact following the floods in Rasuwa district, including 51 Malaysians.
The list, published by the Department of Tourism under Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, contained information on those reported missing, including their names, nationalities, ages, and the travel agencies handling their trips.
Meanwhile, the death toll from Wednesday’s Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river flooding, triggered by a Himalayan glacial collapse, had risen to about 550, while hundreds remained missing.
Nepal’s tourism authorities said 121 foreign nationals had been rescued from the flood-ravaged region, with no Malaysians so far identified among those rescued.
Malaysia is also coordinating the delivery of assistance to Nepal, including the possible deployment of the Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART). The National Security Council is in close contact with the Nepalese government to determine the appropriate form of assistance.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the assistance could involve financial aid or the deployment of rescue personnel.
The Foreign Ministry continues efforts to ascertain the status of Malaysians in the affected areas.
A sudden and powerful flood swept through Nepal’s northern border region on Wednesday morning, devastating communities along the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa and sending water and debris downstream, The Kathmandu Post reported.
The flood damaged roads, bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure before flowing into the Trishuli River system, sweeping away people, vehicles, and structures and cutting off some areas.
The newspaper also reported that bodies and human remains were being recovered in districts far downstream from Rasuwa, while authorities faced difficulties identifying victims and finding adequate storage as morgue capacity in several areas came under pressure.
-- BERNAMA