Kathmandu:One of the 55 Malaysians who lost contact following floods and landslides in Nepal last August has been confirmed safe and has returned to Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysia Solidarity Families in Hope (MASFIH) spokesman, Dr. Manivannan Rethinam, reported that the individual went to the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu independently before departing for home and arriving in Malaysia this morning. The Foreign Ministry communicated this information through a WhatsApp group for next-of-kin, 'KLN-NOK', but the individual's name was not disclosed.

The person was the only solo traveler among the missing Malaysians and was confirmed safe. He was last known to be at Nagthali Viewpoint on August 25, a day before the disasters occurred, which is at a higher elevation than the affected Rasuwagadhi area. Information from the family indicated that he was stranded due to destroyed roads and bridges, and the lack of electricity, clean water, and telecommunications access, which hindered movement.

This development highlights that disaster victims might be safe but stranded and uncontactable for extended periods due to infrastructure damage and communication disruptions. As a result, 54 Malaysians remain missing, all traveling in separate groups.

For MASFIH, this is more than a numerical change from 55 to 54 missing persons; it signifies a family being reunited with their loved one after 37 days of uncertainty. Dr. Manivannan expressed hope that this safe return serves as a beacon of hope for the families of the remaining missing Malaysians.

The floods and debris flows on August 26, triggered by glacial ice and rock collapses in Tibet's Lhende Khola area, reportedly claimed over 1,450 lives, with thousands still unaccounted for.