MALAYSIA is racing to account for 55 citizens still uncontactable in northern Nepal after a glacier collapse triggered devastating flash floods that killed about 550 people and ravaged Himalayan river valleys.
Search-and-rescue operations in Nepal entered their third day on Friday following Wednesday’s torrents along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.
Nepalese tourism authorities have released a list of 537 foreign nationals from more than 30 countries reported to have lost contact following the floods in Rasuwa district, including 51 Malaysians.
Foreign Ministry deputy secretary-general (Bilateral Affairs) Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin said two of 57 Malaysians previously reported uncontactable had since been located, leaving 55 still out of contact as authorities cross-check information with Nepalese agencies.
At the same time, Malaysian officials are working with Chinese authorities to verify the status of 36 Malaysians reported safe following flash floods and landslides in Tibet, with Wisma Putra checking whether any of them are among the 55 still uncontactable in Nepal.
"We are conducting cross-checks because this information has only just been received... we will provide an update if there are any names that overlap, including the actual number of our nationals who remain missing or have been confirmed safe, whether in Nepal or Tibet," Syed Mohamad Hasrin told Bernama.
He said coordination was also under way with the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing and the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi following information that some Malaysians may have been travelling along routes involving China and India.
The floods sent torrents of water and glacial debris through settlements, destroying roads, bridges and other infrastructure while cutting off access to some affected areas.
The Kathmandu Post reported that bodies and human remains had been recovered in districts far downstream from Rasuwa, while authorities faced difficulties identifying victims and coping with critically limited mortuary capacity.
Nepalese authorities have rescued 121 foreign nationals from badly affected areas, although no Malaysians have so far been identified among those rescued.
In Putrajaya, the Foreign Ministry’s Operations Room is continuing to operate around the clock to coordinate information, assist Malaysians in affected areas and provide verified updates to their families.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia was ready to provide assistance to Nepal, including financial aid or the deployment of specialised search-and-rescue personnel.
The National Security Council (MKN) and National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) are assessing possible forms of assistance, including the deployment of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), while the Defence Ministry and Malaysian Armed Forces have also indicated their readiness to assist if required.
Nepal has so far indicated that it has sufficient resources to conduct its search-and-rescue operations, but Malaysia remains ready to provide additional support should Kathmandu make an official request.
Any assistance will be coordinated through official channels and will take into account the needs identified by the Nepalese Government.
Syed Mohamad Hasrin also urged the public and media not to circulate unverified information as authorities continue efforts to establish the whereabouts and safety of Malaysians caught up in the disaster.
"At the same time, the media and public are urged not to speculate or disseminate unverified information, but instead refer to official statements from the Foreign Ministry for the latest developments," he said.
He added that, in accordance with the wishes of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, the ministry would continue providing affected families with verified updates.
Earlier, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, called on Wisma Putra to take all appropriate action concerning Malaysians affected by the massive floods in Rasuwa, and instructed that the latest information on their safety and whereabouts be conveyed to their families. - August 29, 2026
