Nepal's deadly floods: Families of 55 missing Malaysians arrive at Wisma Putra for briefing on search efforts.

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 27 — Families of the 55 Malaysians still unaccounted for after a glacial flash flood in Nepal gathered at Wisma Putra this morning to meet with government officials and learn about the latest search progress. The closed-door session aims to provide families with comprehensive updates on the search operations, verification, and identification of the victims, more than a month after the disaster struck.

The meeting will include representatives from various departments such as the National Disaster Management Agency, Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, Royal Malaysia Police, Department of Chemistry Malaysia, National Registration Department, and the Social Welfare Department. This is the second meeting after the government's initial engagement with the families on Aug 30, five days after the incident on Aug 26. During the Aug 30 meeting, DNA samples were collected to aid in the identification process.

A team of 11 Smart personnel was deployed to Nepal on Sept 5, conducting ground searches and drone surveillance in safe areas approved by Nepalese authorities. They returned to Malaysia on Sept 14, and their return to the country does not signify the end of the efforts to determine the status of the 55 missing Malaysians. Nepalese authorities are still actively engaged in search, verification, and identification operations, while Malaysia continues to pursue diplomatic efforts with relevant authorities.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim conveyed the families' concerns and hopes to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Sept 22, urging the establishment of a formal mechanism to assist the families if the Malaysians remain missing. The floods and debris flows on Aug 26, triggered by a rock and ice collapse in Tibet's upper Lhende Khola catchment area, claimed over 1,450 lives, with thousands still missing.