KUALA LUMPUR: The military is ready to assist in any humanitarian effort for the massive Nepal floods, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said, however, it was subject to a government decision.
"The Armed Forces is prepared to contribute its expertise and capabilities to peace-related missions (for the Nepal floods).
"However, we wait for a decision by the government to see if it decides that the involvement (of the Armed Forces) is required," he told reporters on Thursday (Aug 27).
It was reported massive flooding near the border with Tibet has killed at least 95 people in Nepal on Wednesday (Aug 26), with hundreds of tourists still out of contact hours after the disaster hit.
A torrent of mud and debris burst from the banks of a river between China and Nepal, burying buildings and triggering a frantic search for survivors
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.
“I got a call from (my brother-in-law) this morning, and they were crying and said their entire house had been swept away. Three family members were rescued, but his brother is still missing,” said 56-year-old Raju Bhadel.
Police in Nepal reported the death toll hit at least 22, but 384 tourists – 291 of them foreigners – were unaccounted for over eight hours after the disaster struck.
Nepal’s tourism board, which released the figure, said Americans, Indians, an Australian, Malaysians and Britons were among those 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.
