Most S’porean travellers plan to stay on despite aftershocks

SINGAPORE — Despite aftershocks that continued to batter Nepal yesterday, Singaporeans there have emerged unscathed. Most are also planning to stay on, despite the intermittent power and water supply and the risk of further aftershocks.

At least two teams known to be trekking in the Everest region have reported that they are safe, with summit-bound Aluminaid Team Singapura Everest saying they planned to stay on at Everest Base Camp for at least another week to determine if ascent was still feasible. Team leader Muhd Hilwan, who is in Singapore after having to drop out of the trip because of medical reasons, said: “They are shaken, as around, there is a lot of devastation. We are very lucky because their tents and camp site are not affected by the avalanche.”

Another team, the four-member Team Mezza, had been uncontactable after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Saturday, leaving family members and friends frantically reaching out on social media for news. They finally got in touch around 4pm yesterday. “We have received messages from the team that they are okay and trekking down for the airport,” Ms Shena Na, the sister of one of the members, told TODAY.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said it has contacted the majority of registered Singaporeans in Nepal and has not received reports of any Singaporeans who have been injured. It also despatched a Crisis Response Team to Kathmandu yesterday to help Singaporeans who wished to leave Nepal. It is coordinating with the Ministry of Defence to arrange for Singaporeans to depart via Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft.

Nanyang Technological University student Kenji Kwok, who is interning for the Nepali Times newspaper, said electricity supply has been intermittent following the earthquake. “(There’s) no electricity in most parts … Water supply probably will be a huge problem too, since most of the water to households come through water tanks.”

Travel agencies that TODAY contacted said their groups are unharmed. Mr Narayan Shrestha, managing director of Divine International, who is in Nepal, said the two Singaporeans on a tour by his company will continue with their trip. “The necessary relief is ongoing; the national police and army are all working on this so it seems to be all right. Phone lines and the Internet are also still working.”

Mr Lik Wong, manager of X-Trekkers, said he would not take travel groups to Nepal for now. “Kathmandu airport is small and roads are badly damaged, so I think we should give way to relief teams.” LEE YEN NEE