Nepal floods: 55 Malaysians still uncontactable - Wisma Putra

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, often referred to as Wisma Putra, reports that 55 Malaysians remain uncontactable in Nepal following the August 26 floods and landslides. Two previously uncontactable Malaysians have since been found, and efforts to verify the status of the remaining cases continue. The embassy in Kathmandu is collaborating with Nepal's Emergency Response Team, the Nepal Tourism Board, travel agencies, and local authorities on search and rescue operations.

Additionally, authorities are monitoring potential water surge risks from the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. As of Aug 28 at 5 pm Nepal time (7.15 pm Malaysia time), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority in Nepal has reported 771 people rescued, with no Malaysians among them. The ministry has expanded its consular response to cover Malaysians stranded in China due to the floods and landslides.

A group of 72 Malaysians in Darchen, China, has been confirmed safe and healthy, and their families are aware of their status. The embassy in Beijing is assisting them and their families with travel arrangements to leave the region. The ministry is also working with Chinese authorities to locate 36 Malaysians uncontactable due to telecommunications disruptions.

They are cross-referencing this information with reports from Nepal to avoid duplications. The ministry's operations room in Putrajaya has been functioning continuously since Aug 27 to coordinate information and aid Malaysians in the affected areas and their families. Malaysians in the affected regions, as well as their families with pertinent information, can contact the ministry via phone (+603 8887 4570) or email (dutyofficer@kln.gov.my).

The ministry urges the public not to speculate or disseminate unverified information while the search for the missing Malaysians persists.