Malaysians advised to defer travels to Nepal

In this aerial image of the Kathmandu valley, Bagmati River is seen in flood due to heavy rains in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday (Sept. 28). - Photo: AP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are advised to postpone their travels to Nepal following floods and landslides due to continuous rains there.

The chargé d'affaires at the embassy of Malaysia in Kathmandu, Mohd Firdaus Azman, said the continuous rain since Sept 26 has caused many highways and roads throughout the country to be flooded and disconnected.

He said the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of Nepal has warned that rain is expected to start on Oct 1 and will last until Oct 5.

"For those planning to visit Nepal, we advise them to postpone their trips as all routes out of Kathmandu are cut off.

"If they arrive in Kathmandu, they will be stranded. In addition, the water level is still high and bridges connecting Kathmandu are completely destroyed.

"Accordingly, everyone is advised to postpone travelling to Nepal for the time being until the authorities declare it is safe and the roads and highways are repaired," he told Bernama.

He advised Malaysians in Nepal to take precautions and to contact the embassy in case of emergency.

Firdaus said the price of food in Kathmandu has doubled due to the bad weather.

"Following agricultural areas being affected and food supply being cut off, and the transport system affected, the price of food has doubled.The prices of vegetables have increased fivefold."

Firdaus said there are 25 Malaysians affected by the floods and landslides.

"Most of them were on their way back from Pokhara to Kathmandu. With the help of local agents and the embassy, ​​they have safely reached Kathmandu on Sunday (Sept 29)."

He said there are several groups that have just started their climb in Nepal.

"So far, the embassy has not received any emergency notification. The embassy will continue to monitor the latest developments in Kathmandu and update the current developments on social media."

Malaysians who need assistance are advised to contact the embassy at [phone].

Meanwhile, Xinhua reported that the death toll from the floods and landslides in Nepal has reached 192 people as of Monday (Sept 30) morning.

Rishiram Tiwari, a spokesman for Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs, said 30 people are still missing and 194 others injured. - Bernama