KUALA LUMPUR: A group of 38 Malaysians travelling to Mount Kailash encountered landslides and had to trek through muddy terrain en route to the Nepal-Tibet border just days before devastating floods struck the Rasuwa area.
Polama Groups Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd managing director Dhaneswaran said the group had to get out of their vehicle to clear their way through landslides and walk cautiously as rocks fell around them on their way to the border checkpoint, located in the affected area.
"Reaching the checkpoint was challenging even before the floods. With landslides, mud and falling rocks, we had to be very careful while crossing the area. Our group is currently safe in Tibet, performing pilgrimage,” he said when contacted.
He added that the group, which arrived in Kathmandu on Aug 15, stayed in Nepal’s capital for three days before travelling towards the Rasuwa border to enter Tibet.
Dhaneswaran, who is making his fourth visit to Mount Kailash, said conditions at the border were still normal at the time, with shops and restaurants operating as usual, although the journey was already challenging due to landslides.
However, he was shocked to see news reports that the same area had been devastated by massive floods, leaving many uncontactable, including a few Malaysian groups who had gone there for the Kailash pilgrimage and trekking activities.
"We had to wait there for more than two hours because the China immigration checkpoint closed for lunch, as China’s time is two hours and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal. We had our lunch and waited there, taking pictures, but never expected this kind of massive disaster.
"For the families of those who are missing and uncontactable, please remain hopeful, as they may simply be out of reach due to the collapse of communication and utility infrastructure,” he said.
Dhaneswaran said his group was now facing a new challenge in returning to Kathmandu on Saturday (Aug 29), as several routes had been cut off by the floods.
"We plan to take a helicopter from Taklakot to Simikot at around 7am, followed by another flight to Nepalgunj. Then, on the same afternoon, we will fly from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu, if weather conditions permit, before flying back to Malaysia.
He said the emergency journey would cost an additional about RM4,800 per person, excluding the costs of an emergency vehicle and one night's accommodation.
The Rasuwa flood struck a key Nepal-China border corridor at Rasuwagadhi, commonly used by travellers heading from Nepal into Tibet, including pilgrims travelling to Mount Kailash.
So far, 55 Malaysians are uncontactable following the Rasuwa floods.
They were understood to be in Nepal for pilgrimage and trekking activities, including journeys to Mount Kailash and Everest Base Camp. – Bernama
