Cara Severino, 26, one of 42 Australians declared missing after flash floods ravaged the Nepal-Tibet border last Wednesday, has recounted her escape after a group with a tractor came to her aid. She is the only one of the missing Australians to have been found.
Escape from the deluge
Severino, from Wollongong in New South Wales, was hiking through the Himalayas when an ice avalanche triggered a sudden deluge that swept through the region. As floodwaters surged, she joined a group trying to flee on a tractor. She made contact with her parents days later and was eventually rescued by Australian embassy officials in a four-wheel drive.
Speaking about her ordeal, she thanked those who helped her survive: “Grateful to the crew we formed on that first day when we entered the national park on a tractor. Sudha, Lucas, Samir, and Saugat - thanks to them I got out safely.”
Devastation witnessed
Severino described the heartbreaking destruction she saw during her escape. “My heart goes out to all the Nepalese hikers who lost their life and towns. We passed a guy hiking up to Thulu Safru who lost his whole family when their whole town was destroyed. It's just so devastating and undeserving.” She added: “I feel for the families of those still missing, I know how much my family and friends went through.”
Missing and death toll
Nearly 3,000 people remain missing five days after the disaster, while Nepali and Chinese authorities confirmed an updated death toll of at least 810 on Sunday. A total of 15 British nationals are reported missing in China, part of 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries missing in the Tibet Autonomous Region, according to Chinese authorities. On the Nepal side, 33 British people had already been declared missing, bringing the total missing British nationals between Tibet and Nepal to 48.
Chinese authorities have said at least 16 people died on their side of the border, but concerns have been raised about a lack of transparency as sharing footage from the floods has been banned. Police in Nepal said 794 people had been confirmed dead and at least 2,742 injured.
Several areas remain at risk of further flooding, with people who have returned home warned to stay alert and be ready to evacuate again at short notice.
