Kuala lumpur: The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) is still awaiting feedback from the Nepalese government as to whether it is ready to receive a search and rescue (SAR) team from Malaysia to assist in operations following the massive floods that hit the country.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, SMART commander Senior Fire and Rescue Officer 1 (PgKB 1) Abdul Manaf Che Isa stated that the team was fully prepared to carry out the mission. "As of this morning, we are still waiting for feedback from the Nepalese government regarding its readiness to receive the (SAR) team from Malaysia," he mentioned during the National Day 2026 celebrations at Dataran Putrajaya.

Coordination with the Foreign Ministry (KLN), National Security Council (MKN), and National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will be conducted for the deployment of the team to Nepal. Following the statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding the deployment of the SMART team to Nepal, Abdul Manaf confirmed that the team is fully prepared.

Earlier, Abdul Manaf inspected the final preparations of the SMART contingent led by Captain Plaveanus Bernard, which includes 112 personnel participating in the parade for the National Day 2026 celebrations. The prime minister recently announced that the MADANI Government had decided to send the SMART team to Nepal to aid in SAR operations following the devastating floods.

Anwar also stated that the team has been tasked with locating and bringing home Malaysians affected by the disaster. They will also assist the Malaysian Embassy in Nepal in coordinating aid and ensuring the safety and welfare of Malaysians. Additionally, Malaysia will contribute USD1 million to Nepal to support those affected and aid in post-disaster recovery efforts.

On August 29, Wisma Putra reported that the number of Malaysians uncontactable remained at 36 in China and 55 following the floods and landslides that struck Nepal's Rasuwa District on August 26. The Anadolu Agency reported that the death toll from the severe flash floods and landslides in Nepal and China's Tibet region had risen to 804, with nearly 3,300 people missing.