Kathmandu: A group of 38 Malaysians travelling to Mount Kailash faced landslides and had to trek through muddy terrain as they journeyed toward the Nepal-Tibet border in China, just days before severe floods hit the Rasuwa area.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Polama Groups Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd managing director Dhaneswaran reported that the group had to exit their vehicle and navigate through landslides, taking caution as rocks fell around them on their way to the border checkpoint located within the affected area. Despite the challenges, the group is safe in Tibet, continuing their pilgrimage.

The group arrived in Kathmandu on August 15 and spent three days in Nepal's capital before heading toward the Rasuwa border to enter Tibet. Dhaneswaran, on his fourth visit to Mount Kailash, noted that conditions appeared normal at the border, with shops and restaurants operating as usual, although the journey was challenging due to landslides.

Dhaneswaran expressed shock upon hearing news reports of massive floods devastating the same area, leaving many, including a few Malaysian groups, uncontactable. He mentioned waiting for over two hours at the China immigration checkpoint, as it closed for lunch, without expecting such a disaster to follow.

Emphasizing the safety of his group, Dhaneswaran encouraged families of those missing to remain hopeful, citing potential communication issues due to collapsed infrastructure. He highlighted the group's new challenge of returning to Kathmandu, as several routes were cut off by the floods.

Plans include taking a helicopter from Taklakot to Simikot, followed by a flight to Nepalgunj, and then to Kathmandu, weather permitting, before their return to Malaysia. The emergency journey is estimated to cost an additional RM4,800 per person, excluding costs for an emergency vehicle and accommodation.

The Rasuwa flood disrupted a key Nepal-China border corridor at Rasuwagadhi, used by travellers heading from Nepal to Tibet, including pilgrims to Mount Kailash. Reports indicate that 55 Malaysians are uncontactable following the floods, having been in Nepal for pilgrimage and trekking activities, including journeys to Mount Kailash and Everest Base Camp.