Kathmandu, Oct 3: A Malaysian national who went missing after devastating flash floods in Nepal in August has been found safe and has returned home after 37 days, according to reports.
The development was confirmed by Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope (MASFIH), an organisation representing families of missing Malaysian nationals.
MASFIH spokesperson Manivannan Retinam said the man, a Malaysian citizen of Chinese descent who had been travelling alone in Nepal, contacted the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu himself.
The organisation subsequently contacted his relatives, who confirmed that he had safely returned to Malaysia.
According to Manivannan, the man was at Nagthali Viewpoint in Rasuwa district on August 25. He lost contact after roads and bridges in the area were damaged by the floods. Disruptions to electricity, water and internet services further affected communication and movement in the region.
With his safe return confirmed, the number of Malaysian nationals reported missing in Nepal has fallen from 55 to 54.
Manivannan said the development represented more than just a reduction in the missing persons count, describing it as a reunion between a family and their loved one after 37 days of uncertainty.
Nepal continues to recover from the devastating flash floods that struck the country in August. According to the report, the disaster killed more than 1,450 people and left around 5,000 people missing.
Flash floods originating near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26 caused widespread destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. The disaster also reportedly killed 43 people in Tibet, while more than 500 remained unaccounted for, according to Chinese media.
