The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) is ready to provide its expertise and capabilities for a humanitarian mission in Nepal following severe flooding in the country.
However, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said any involvement by the ATM would depend on a decision by the government.
“Among the areas where the ATM can contribute is through humanitarian missions.
“If there is a decision by the government and it involves the ATM, we are ready to contribute our expertise and capabilities,” he told reporters after the launch of National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang celebrations at Dataran Wisma Pertahanan today.
The Kathmandu Post previously reported that major flooding caused by the overflow of the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s mountainous Rasuwa district had caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
Authorities have since issued a high-level alert for residents living downstream.
Wisma Putra said 17 Malaysians were among hundreds of foreign nationals reported missing following the flash floods. Their travel arrangements in Nepal were being handled by tourism agency Fishtail Tours and Travels.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kathmandu, Mohd Firdaus Azman, said around 50 Malaysians in Nepal had remained unreachable by their families as of yesterday.
He said road access to the affected areas had been disrupted by flooding along the Bhote Koshi River, while the Nepalese government had deployed helicopters for search and rescue operations.
