Nepal Floods: Families Prepare for Closure as Search and Rescue Nears Conclusion

PUTRAJAYA, 27 Sept – The families of 55 Malaysians still missing following the devastating flood and landslide disaster in Nepal are coming to terms with all possibilities, following confirmation that Nepalese authorities are preparing to officially conclude search and rescue (SAR) operations.

During a four-hour closed-door session at Wisma Putra on Sunday, government officials briefed 95 family members and representatives on the transition from rescue to recovery operations, as well as expedited legal and documentation processes—including the issuance of death certificates.

S. Sankara, whose 57-year-old mother K. Kalaimathi was in Nepal for a religious pilgrimage when the disaster occurred, said the family was informed that Nepal’s government will soon end active SAR efforts.

“Based on the briefing received, the search and rescue operation is still ongoing at this time. The family was briefed on the documentation process, including the death certificate that will be issued by the Nepalese government,” Sankara told reporters following the session. He added that his family is striving to carry on despite the painful emotional burden.

Adura Masood, whose 63-year-old husband Dr. Mohd Padzil Daros remains unaccounted for, expressed resignation over the lack of new developments regarding the missing group.

“Not yet. No news,” Adura said. “They explained what happened there, just a brief explanation… I think they have done their job.”

Dr. Mohd Padzil was traveling with “Team Loe”—a convoy journeying from Kathmandu toward the Nepal-Tibet border—when the catastrophe hit the Rasuwa region, roughly 18 kilometers from the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border post. The party also included officers from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and several other Malaysian travelers.

The Sunday session marked the second major briefing organized by Wisma Putra following an initial meeting on Aug 30. Multi-agency support present at the meeting included representatives from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Department of Chemistry, the National Registration Department (JPN), the Social Welfare Department (JKM), and the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu.

The disaster—triggered on Aug 26 by a massive ice-rock avalanche and debris flow in the upper Lhende Khola watershed in Tibet—swept through narrow Himalayan river valleys, claiming over 1,450 lives and leaving thousands missing across the region.

–NMT