floods in Nepal leave 70% of families still hoping, 30% resigned

NEPAL, NEPAL-TIBET BORDER, KUALA LUMPUR, 29 AUGUST 2026 —

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 August 2026 – Jamaliah Tengku Ismail, 67, said 70 percent of families affected by the flash flood in Nepal remain hopeful that missing loved ones will be found, while 30 percent have begun to accept the worst‑case outcome.

She told reporters after a press briefing that she is “sabar” – patient – and that “70 peratus masih berharap dan 30 peratus sudah reda kerana kita tidak tahu bagaimana keadaannya.” The statement reflects the mixed sentiment among the roughly 1,000 families whose relatives were caught in the disaster, according to the spokesperson for the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu, who declined to give a precise count but confirmed that rescue teams are still combing the most heavily affected zones.

Jamaliah said she must be prepared for any eventuality but refuses to give up until definitive news arrives. “Saya juga bersedia menerima kemungkinan terburuk. Semakin lama masa berlalu, peluang itu semakin berkurangan kerana berdasarkan perkiraan, mereka berada di kawasan yang paling teruk terjejas,” she said, adding that the probability of survival diminishes as days pass without contact.

Her remarks came as the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement urging all Malaysian nationals in the area to cooperate fully with Nepalese authorities and to register with the embassy for assistance.

The last confirmed contact with Muhamad Nasir was the night before his departure for the Nepal‑Tibet border. Jamaliah recounted that he placed a call while en route but she was unable to answer. “Lokasi terakhir Muhamad Nasir yang dikenal pasti adalah di sebuah kafe kira‑kira sejam sebelum banjir kilat melanda kawasan berkenaan,” she said, indicating that the group had been at a roadside café roughly an hour before the floodwaters surged.

She added that the group, which had been planning the trek for six months, was “sangat gembira dan teruja” on the eve of the journey, attracted by reports of “pemandangan yang sangat cantik” along the route.

The expedition comprised twelve participants, including two Nepalese fire‑fighters who are trained in survival techniques. Jamaliah expressed confidence that the presence of the fire‑fighters improves the odds of survival for any members who may have reached higher ground. “Saya yakin jika mereka berada di tempat yang selamat, mereka boleh bertahan, insya‑Allah.

Dua anggota bomba yang bersama mereka juga merupakan jurulatih dalam teknik ‘survival’, jadi mereka tentunya boleh membantu yang lain, termasuk suami saya yang tidak mempunyai pengalaman,” she said.

Rescue operations, coordinated by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and supported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), have focused on the river valleys and low‑lying settlements that were inundated after the flash flood. According to the NDRRMA, more than 3,500 people have been displaced, and 45 deaths have been confirmed, though the death toll could rise as search teams continue to work in remote terrain.

The agency has deployed three helicopter units, two search‑and‑rescue dogs, and a team of 150 volunteers to scan the affected districts of Dolakha and Rasuwa.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a consular team arrived in Kathmandu on 28 August and is assisting families, including Jamaliah, with regular updates and logistical support for the search. The ministry also said it is in contact with the Nepalese government to ensure that Malaysian citizens are given priority in the ongoing rescue and that any recovered remains will be repatriated promptly.

The incident has prompted Malaysian travel agencies to issue advisories warning against non‑essential travel to high‑altitude border regions during the monsoon season. The Malaysian Association of Tour Operators noted that bookings for Nepal‑bound tours have fallen by roughly 15 percent since the flood, reflecting heightened risk perception among prospective travellers.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian stock market showed a modest reaction, with shares of travel‑related companies such as AirAsia Group Bhd and Malaysia Airlines experiencing a combined decline of 1.2 percent on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange on 29 August, as investors priced in potential disruptions to outbound tourism.

In the broader regional context, the flash flood underscores the vulnerability of mountainous transit corridors to extreme weather events, a concern echoed by the ASEAN Disaster Management Centre, which has called for enhanced cross‑border coordination on early warning systems.

The centre’s director, Dr Siti Nur Aisyah, said that “the incident highlights the need for real‑time data sharing between Nepal, India and ASEAN member states to mitigate the impact of sudden hydrological disasters on travellers and local communities alike.”

Jamaliah concluded by urging authorities to accelerate the search and focus resources on the area identified as the group’s last known location. “Saya berharap operasi pencarian dapat dipercepatkan dan memberi tumpuan kepada kawasan yang mempunyai kebarangkalian tinggi untuk kumpulan berkenaan berada berdasarkan maklumat lokasi terakhir mereka,” she said, adding that any breakthrough would bring much‑needed relief to the many families still clinging to hope.