A wall of water, a tragedy, a warning: What Nepal floods tell us about the Himalaya

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian solo climber Mohd Noor Mat Amin expressed gratitude that his planned expedition to Nepal’s Langtang Valley was cancelled. The group was set to trek from August 20 to 30, but the trip was postponed due to technical issues, avoiding a dangerous situation. Noor, who usually guides treks in Nepal, admitted he was uncertain about what could have transpired had they proceeded.

Even if they had managed to reach the destination, the subsequent floods and landslides would have severely impacted their journey, rendering the route impassable. Concerned about other Malaysian climbers in the area, Noor specifically mentioned nine individuals who are still untraceable. He noted that the situation continues to deteriorate, with numerous roads and bridges either damaged or swept away, making it challenging for rescue teams to reach the victims.

Several bridges have been completely washed away, creating significant obstacles for search and rescue operations. The Nepalese government has instructed helicopter operators, including private companies, to aid in the search and rescue efforts.