Nepal-Tibet floods: Singapore Red Cross pledges S$50,000 in aid, launches fundraising appeal

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — Seventeen Malaysians traveling to Mount Kailash in Tibet for a pilgrimage have gone missing since a flash flood struck the Nepal-Tibet border on the previous day, causing concerns among their families. Among the missing were S. Raman, 59, M. Neelavany, 54, S. Murukan, 60, and G. Padmahwathi, 58, who were part of a group organized by Fishtail Tours & Travels.

The group had arrived in Nepal on Aug 23 and was set to continue the pilgrimage until Sept 5. R. Logadashini, the family of S. Raman, said they last heard from the tour group at around 8:18 am Nepal time (10:33 am Malaysian time) when they were two kilometers away from the Nepal-Tibet immigration checkpoint. No further communication has been received, and the family has not yet received any official information from the agency or the Malaysian Embassy.

Meanwhile, 55 Malaysians reported to the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu as uncontactable due to the floods have not yet confirmed any casualties. The Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is cooperating with Nepalese authorities, search and rescue teams, travel agencies, and other involved parties to determine the safety and whereabouts of the missing Malaysians.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered relevant government agencies to swiftly locate and contact Malaysians impacted by the floods, with Malaysian diplomatic missions in Kathmandu and New Delhi being deployed to help. Heavy rain and a glacial collapse triggered flash floods in Nepal's Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, disrupting communication and cutting off vital roads connecting the affected region to Kathmandu, which hindered rescue efforts and access to those in need.

The pilgrimage route is frequently used by pilgrims traveling to Mount Kailash and trekkers heading to the Everest region. In a separate incident, another group of Malaysian pilgrims led by renowned Everest climber N. Mohanadas has been confirmed safe. Mohanadas' group of 56 people, comprising 39 Malaysians, four Singaporeans, and three Canadians, was unaffected by the floods and continued their pilgrimage without issue.

Mohanadas reported that while they were aware of the sudden downpour and flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border, their group and route remained unaffected. They had begun their trek to Mount Kailash on the first day of their three-day pilgrimage to perform the auspicious Kailash kora (circumambulation) trek.