Nepal floods: Malaysia PM Anwar extends condolences, says govt working to trace 55 uncontactable citizens

PETALING JAYA - Malaysia has expressed its deepest condolences to Nepal and China over the devastating flash floods along their border, said its Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.He said the Malaysian embassy in Kathmandu was working with local authorities to assist those affected by the floods, including Malaysians, while officers from Malaysia’s high commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, would be deployed to reinforce efforts on the ground.“I am deeply distressed by the catastrophic flash floods that have struck the Nepal-China border region,” Anwar said in a statement posted on social media on Aug 27.“Malaysia extends its deepest condolences to the Governments and peoples of Nepal and China, and to all those who have lost loved ones or await news of missing relatives. “I have directed that our mission be provided with every resource it needs. The government will remain fully engaged until the affected Malaysians are accounted for and their families have the support they need.“I am also deeply concerned after being informed by the Foreign Ministry that 55 Malaysians have yet to be contacted so far, and efforts to locate them and obtain updates on their condition are actively under way.”Anwar also praised search and rescue personnel working in difficult conditions.“I commend the courage and dedication of the search and rescue personnel working under extraordinarily difficult conditions,” he said.“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”It was reported that massive flooding near the border with Tibet had killed at least 95 people in Nepal, with hundreds of tourists still uncontactable hours after the disaster hit.A torrent of mud and debris burst from the banks of a river between Nepal and China, burying buildings and triggering a frantic search for survivors.Houses, cars and buildings were swept away in a deluge of water after an avalanche further in the snowy-mountains triggered massive floods in the valley.Chinese state media reported “major casualties” from a mudslide at a Tibet trade hub on China’s side of its border with Nepal, and President Xi Jinping ordered an “all-out” rescue effort.Nepal’s tourism board, which released the figure, said Americans, Indians, an Australian, Malaysians and Britons were among hundreds of foreign tourists unaccounted for.Images shared by Nepali police showed floodwater surging through a river, sweeping away houses in its path, while AFP images depicted the top floor of a house sticking out from muddy soil. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK