33 days after Nepal floods, families of 55 missing Malaysians still in limbo

On the 33rd day since the Nepal floods and debris flow that killed over 1,450 people, the families of 55 missing Malaysians remain in a state of uncertainty. S Punitha, aunt of Suguna Balan, 33, expressed the distress faced by the families, who are not only uncertain about the fate of their loved ones but also struggling with the financial and emotional burden.

Suguna was the primary financial supporter for her family. "We yearn for clear information and guidance on the next steps," Punitha stated at the foreign ministry's headquarters in Wisma Putra. Among the missing, Suguna's parents are still mourning her loss and grappling with trauma. Another family member, M Subramaniam, 38, the son-in-law of V Krishnan, 74, expressed hope that the missing individuals might be alive or in locations yet to be identified.

The families are desperate for answers about the search progress along the Nepal-China border and whether the group crossed the Tibet immigration checkpoint before the disaster. The foreign ministry held a closed-door meeting with the families to provide updates on the latest developments.