Malaysia has deployed its Special Malaysia Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to Nepal and pledged US$1 million in aid to support flood relief efforts, according to a report by The Star.
The announcement comes as Nepal grapples with severe flash flooding along its border with China’s Tibet region. The disaster has caused a rising death toll and left rescue workers scrambling to reach people trapped in hydropower tunnels, as reported by CNN and The Guardian.
The flooding has also raised broader concerns about the impact of climate change on the region. The New York Times reports that some observers fear the Himalayas are melting at an alarming rate, which could lead to more frequent and severe flooding events in the future.
In addition to the physical challenges of the rescue operation, authorities in China have moved to censor videos showing the deadly flash floods, according to the BBC. The censorship appears aimed at limiting the spread of footage from the disaster zone.
The SMART team’s deployment is part of a coordinated international response to the crisis. The team is expected to assist with search-and-rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas, where access remains difficult due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing flood risks.
The US$1 million pledge from Malaysia adds to a growing pool of international aid for Nepal. The funds are intended to help with immediate relief efforts, including shelter, food, and medical supplies for displaced residents.
The situation remains fluid, with rescue teams still searching for missing workers in the hydropower tunnels and new flood warnings in effect for parts of the region. The international community will be watching closely to see if additional aid or rescue support is needed in the coming days.
