Nepal search halt must not end efforts to find 54 missing Malaysians

The Nepali government has decided to end search and rescue operations following deadly floods that struck the country on August 26, as the hope of finding survivors dwindles, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. The decision to shift focus to reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts was based on recommendations from various committees and field inspections.

So far, 1,455 deaths and 5,285 people are reported missing from the disaster. Notable missing individuals include a couple from South Africa and a South African woman. A budget of NPR 559.18 billion ($3.62 billion) has been recommended for 504 plans and programs to help reconstruct and rehabilitate areas damaged by the floods and other monsoon-related disasters.

These floods caused physical damage worth NPR 274.48 billion, leading to overall losses and damages of NPR 408.28 billion. The Nepali government is currently conducting a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment to determine the necessary budget for reconstruction and recovery. Prime Minister Balendra Shah emphasized the importance of coordination among government levels in managing the disaster and ensuring reconstruction efforts continue through the same mechanism.

The council also expressed condolences to the families of those lost and thanked all those involved in search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations, as well as donors and partners who provided assistance during the crisis.