Nepal floods: Malaysian group encountered landslides, muddy terrain days before disaster
A group of 38 Malaysian pilgrims traveling to Mount Kailash encountered dangerous landslides and muddy terrain in Nepal just days before severe flooding hit the region. While the group is currently safe in Tibet, they face significant logistical challenges returning to Kathmandu due to destroyed infrastructure.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the vulnerability of remote pilgrimage routes to climate-related disasters and the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the Rasuwa border region.
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.
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