Families wait for answers as six South Africans remain missing after Nepal-Tibet floods

As the death toll from the catastrophic Nepal floods continues to rise, Gift of the Givers and the South African Hindu Maha Sabha are preparing to assist, while efforts intensify to locate six missing South Africans.

The desperate search for six South Africans missing after devastating floods swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region has prompted Gift of the Givers to prepare a specialist search-and-recovery operation, as families anxiously await news of their loved ones.

The humanitarian organisation is in contact with the families of the missing South Africans and has placed a second search-and-recovery team on standby as the full scale of the disaster continues to emerge.

The floods struck on Wednesday after an ice-rock avalanche and glacial collapse triggered a devastating surge of water, mud and debris near the Nepal-China border.

The death toll has continued to rise as rescuers reach areas that were initially cut off.

At least hundreds of people have died, with the latest reports putting the death toll at more than 600 across Nepal and the affected Tibet region, while thousands remain missing.

The disaster has also affected international travellers and pilgrims who were travelling through the remote Himalayan region when the floodwaters struck.

Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said the organisation had already begun engaging with Nepalese authorities about a possible rescue deployment.

“Gift of the Givers Head of Search and Rescue, Ahmed Bham, was included into a Nepalese Government emergency meeting yesterday where the Foreign Minister, Disaster Management and other officials were present.

“He was engaged by the officials including the Minister, thanked for our intervention in the Nepalese Earthquake of April 2015 and for coming forward so rapidly to assist yet again. They were interested in our team composition with a particular interest in the capability of the K9's and asked several questions related to the dogs.”

The interest in the organisation's K9 capabilities comes as rescuers confront difficult terrain and the destruction of roads and bridges, which has made reaching some areas particularly challenging.

Sooliman said the organisation's specialist team, including SAPS dog handlers, was preparing search-and-rescue equipment in Johannesburg.

“We have put a second search and recovery team on standby. We are aware that the Nepalese government has sufficient medical capacity, but we are ready to provide medical teams also.”

The organisation said Nepalese Disaster Management authorities had indicated that, should a formal request for international assistance be made, Gift of the Givers would be given priority status and its teams would be hosted and integrated with local rescue operations.