Nepal approves SMART deployment as Malaysian families await missing persons update

KUALA LUMPUR — Nepalese authorities have given the green light for SMART (Skilled Manpower for Assistance Relief and Training) teams to deploy in flood-affected areas, offering a glimmer of hope to Malaysian families desperately seeking news of their missing relatives.

The recent flash floods that swept through Nepal have left several Malaysians unaccounted for, prompting coordinated efforts between Malaysian authorities and their Nepalese counterparts to locate and assist the missing persons. The approval of SMART deployment represents a significant step forward in expanding search and rescue operations across affected regions.

Families have been maintaining vigil while awaiting updates from rescue teams on the ground. Malaysian diplomatic missions in Nepal have been coordinating closely with local authorities to ensure that Malaysian citizens receive priority assistance and that accurate information is relayed to next-of-kin back home.

The flash floods have caused significant damage across multiple districts in Nepal, with rescue operations ongoing in challenging terrain and weather conditions. Authorities have urged patience as search teams navigate difficult conditions while attempting to locate missing persons and assess the full extent of casualties and displacement in the region.