KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty-eight Malaysians who went on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet returned home safely on National Day after severe floods forced them to take a difficult alternative route through the landslide-hit Tatopani-Kodari border.
The pilgrims, who travelled with Polama Groups Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on the night of Aug 31 after making their way back through Nepal.
The group had arrived in Kathmandu on Aug 15 before travelling overland towards the Rasuwa border and entering Tibet for the pilgrimage to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash.
Their journey towards the Nepal-China border had already been challenging, with landslides, muddy terrain and falling rocks forcing them to leave their vehicles and cross some affected sections on foot.
One of the pilgrims, Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) president Kalaivanan, said he witnessed the pressure faced by the tour team as the situation changed.
“I saw the pressure, exhaustion, tears and heartbreak behind the scenes, but Mr Dhaneswaran and the team continued working to find a safe way to bring all of us home,” he said.
The situation he said became more difficult after severe flooding hit the Nepal-China border region on Aug 26, damaging the Rasuwa-Gyirong corridor that the group had planned to use on their return journey.
Although the 38 pilgrims remained safe in Tibet, the disruption left them uncertain about how they would return to Nepal and eventually Malaysia.
Instead of using the Rasuwa-Gyirong corridor, the group travelled across Tibet towards the Tatopani-Kodari border to re-enter Nepal.
The route had also been affected by monsoon landslides and road damage, with some sections only recently reopened through temporary access.
“There were moments when we could see how difficult the road ahead was. Throughout the journey, we remained calm, supported one another and trusted the people working behind the scenes. For us, faith played a very important part,” Kalaivanan said.
After reaching Kathmandu, they received assistance from the Malaysian Embassy in Nepal, with embassy head of chancery Muammar Taufiqi Mustapha accompanying them at Tribhuvan International Airport before their departure for Kuala Lumpur.
Kalaivanan said seeing Malaysian officials waiting for them at KLIA was an emotional moment.
“Returning safely on National Day made the homecoming even more meaningful for all of us,” he said.
The pilgrims also expressed their gratitude to Wisma Putra, the Malaysian embassies in Nepal and Beijing, as well as the tour team, guides and drivers who helped ensure their safe return.
They also conveyed their sympathies to those affected by the disaster, including those who died, were injured or remained missing.
