{
  "id": 4634062,
  "title": "Malaysia seeks Nepal's nod to deploy Smart team for rescue operations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/malaysia-seeks-nepals-nod-to-deploy-smart-team-for-rescue-operations",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T10:49:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1522901/malaysia-seeks-nepals-nod-deploy-smart-team-rescue-operations"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has requested Nepal's government approval to deploy the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) to help with search and rescue efforts following recent floods and landslides in Nepal. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan informed Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal about the situation during a phone call on Monday. The conversation centered on the ongoing SAR operations, with a focus on locating Malaysians still uncontactable due to the recent floods and landslides in Nepal.\n\nMohamad expressed gratitude to the Nepalese government for the support and cooperation extended to the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu. On Sunday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia would send the Smart team to Nepal to aid in SAR operations, locate affected Malaysians, and assist the Malaysian Embassy in coordinating aid and ensuring the safety and welfare of those affected. Malaysia has pledged to contribute US$1 million to aid the victims and support post-disaster recovery efforts in Nepal.\n\nAccording to the Foreign Ministry, 55 Malaysians remain missing after flash floods and landslides hit the country on August 26. Anadolu Ajansi reported that the death toll from the disaster along the Nepal-China border has risen to at least 919, with nearly 4,800 people reported missing, including 853 foreign nationals. SAR operations continue in the affected areas, with authorities working to reach stranded workers at hydroelectric projects.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has sought permission from the Nepalese government to deploy the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) to assist in search and rescue (SAR) operations following floods and landslides in the country.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Nepal races to rescue hundreds trapped in hydropower tunnels",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/nepal-races-to-rescue-hundreds-trapped-in-hydropower-tunnels",
        "published": "2026-08-31T05:27:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Nepal teams seek hundreds trapped in hydropower tunnels after floods",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/nepal-teams-seek-hundreds-trapped-in-hydropower-tunnels-after-floods",
        "published": "2026-08-31T08:45:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Race to rescue 900 trapped workers as floodwaters recede in Nepal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/race-to-rescue-900-trapped-workers-as-floodwaters-recede-in-nepal",
        "published": "2026-08-31T08:47:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Race to rescue 900 trapped workers as floodwaters recede in Nepal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/race-to-rescue-900-trapped-workers-as-floodwaters-recede-in-nepal-4607793",
        "published": "2026-08-31T08:47:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Egypt Independent",
        "title": "These men had a hellish escape from Nepal’s flooded hydro tunnels. They were the lucky ones",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/these-men-had-a-hellish-escape-from-nepals-flooded-hydro-tunnels-they",
        "published": "2026-08-31T09:11:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Nepal rescue teams seek hundreds of workers trapped in hydropower tunnels by deadly floods",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/nepal-rescue-teams-seek-hundreds-of-workers-trapped-in-hydropower",
        "published": "2026-08-31T09:15:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Govt moves to join Nepal rescue as Malaysians remain missing after deadly floods",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/govt-moves-to-join-nepal-rescue-as-malaysians-remain-missing-after",
        "published": "2026-08-31T10:06:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Desperate rescue attempts continue in Nepal to reach people thought to be trapped | First Thing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/desperate-rescue-attempts-continue-in-nepal-to-reach-people-thought",
        "published": "2026-08-31T10:34:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}