KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — A five-member United Sikhs Malaysia relief team endured a harrowing 16-hour journey across unpaved roads, narrow tracks, mud traps and limited fuel supplies to reach flood-hit areas in Nepal.
United Sikhs Malaysia vice-president Mandeep Singh, who led the team, said treacherous alternative routes forced them to travel slowly and cautiously from Kathmandu before arriving in Dhunche.
He said the team established an operational base in Dhunche at midnight on Sept 6 before proceeding to ground zero in Syafrubesi to conduct preliminary surveys and assess victim needs.
“The alternative route to Syafrubesi, located about 40 kilometres from the Tibet border, was in severe condition, with many vehicles, including ours, getting stuck in the mud.
“Most of the route is single-lane, making movement extremely slow, unpredictable and requiring meticulous planning. Access to food and fuel was also very limited throughout the journey,” he told Bernama when sharing the latest updates on the mission today.
Mandeep said two main routes to Syafrubesi were severely affected, with the 42-kilometre hydro road from Betrawati running along the river completely washed away, while the alternative route was severed about two kilometres before the area leading to the border junction.
“The destruction in Syafrubesi is catastrophic. The water surge was estimated to have reached between 225 and 250 feet, almost equivalent to the height of a 22-storey building,” he said.
He said Team A was currently focusing its survey across a 95-kilometre stretch along the Trishuli River and would distribute essential items, such as tarpaulins, temporary tents and mosquito nets, to accessible victims.
“Team A will hand over all verified survey data to Team B, which is expected to arrive by Sept 11 at the latest, to take over and continue aid distribution,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mandeep said local rescue teams were continuing search and rescue operations, while United Sikhs Malaysia was coordinating closely with ground volunteers for information on missing Malaysians.
The massive flood tragedy in Nepal has reportedly claimed 1,357 lives, with 5,326 people still missing.
