Nepal Floods: 12 Malaysian Climbers at Annapurna Base Camp Safe, Continue Journey

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 12 Malaysians currently at Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal, are reported to be safe and continuing their journey as usual following the massive flood tragedy that struck the Nepal-China border area on Wednesday.

One of the climbers, Muhammad Hafizal Hamidon, said the group is far from the areas affected by the disaster and has not faced any problems so far.

According to him, developments regarding the tragedy are nonetheless very concerning after they followed local media reports on the destruction that occurred in the affected areas.

“We are on the Annapurna Base Camp trek and are still continuing our journey as usual. We are far from the flood disaster area.

“According to local media, the disaster is indeed very frightening,” he said when contacted by Sinar Harian on Thursday.

Muhammad Hafizal said that so far he has no information about other groups believed to be involved in the tragedy.

“We are all safe here. Pray for our safe return to Malaysia on August 31 or September 1,” he said.

The massive flood disaster that struck the Rasuwa area near the Nepal-China border on Wednesday claimed over 160 lives, while hundreds more are reported missing.

The incident is believed to have been caused by a glacial collapse that triggered a torrential flow of ice, rocks and mud before sweeping through areas along the river, including important routes leading to the Nepal-China border.

Rasuwa district is among the worst affected, with several settlements, roads and bridges destroyed, while search and rescue operations are still ongoing.

Sinar Harian