Reports of Malaysian hikers previously declared missing in the flood-ravaged northern region of India have taken a positive turn. The group has now been confirmed safe amidst the catastrophic weather conditions, according to a recent announcement by the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Counting Heads: An Update on Nationalities
There was an initial discrepancy about the nationalities of the hikers. It was first reported that all 12 missing hikers were Malaysians, but the Ministry later clarified that only ten were Malaysian nationals. The other two members of the hiking group were Chinese and British nationals.
Contact Established and Evacuation Planned
After managing to establish contact with one of the Malaysian hikers via the High Commission, the Ministry provided some reassurance about the group’s safety. The hikers were reported to be secure in Manali, a town located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, currently heavily affected by torrential rains and flooding.
In a bid to ensure the hikers’ swift return, the Ministry stated, “The Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi will endeavour to bring the group out to New Delhi on Thursday, Jul 13, 2023. If the evacuation plan goes smoothly, the group is expected to take a flight back to Malaysia on the same day.”
The Ministry further expressed its gratitude to the Indian government authorities for their cooperation and swift response in helping locate the Malaysian nationals.
State of Emergency in Himachal Pradesh
The hikers had initially set off on an adventure expedition in Hampta Pass in Himachal Pradesh. However, intense rainfall in the northern parts of India resulted in devastating floods and landslides. Himachal Pradesh was among the regions significantly affected, with a death toll of at least 66 people and hundreds of tourists stranded.
The natural disaster had a disruptive impact on mobile communication networks, with numerous vehicles stranded due to damaged roads. Among the stranded were 15 Russians in the Kasol area of the Kullu district.
In a press briefing, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu outlined the local government’s priorities: “The priority is to safely evacuate tourists and then focus on repairing roads, water supplies, power lines and other infrastructure.” He added that they have managed to evacuate 50 per cent of the tourists, with expectations that this figure would soon reach 80 per cent. The estimated cost of the infrastructure damage is around US$500 million.
Conclusion
This incident has underscored the importance of international cooperation in times of crisis. The safe location of the hikers provides a glimmer of hope amidst the wider catastrophe. As the region works towards recovery, efforts to rescue and provide aid to those affected continue unabated, hoping to mitigate the extensive human and infrastructural damage.
