An Australian woman who survived last week's catastrophic flash floods in Nepal has told how she escaped after a group armed with a tractor came to her rescue. Cara Severino, 26, is among 42 Australians reported missing after the floodwaters tore through the Nepal-Tibet border last Wednesday. She is the sole survivor to have been located.
Survivor's account of the ordeal
The woman from Wollongong, in the Australian state of New South Wales, had been trekking through the Himalayas when an ice avalanche triggered a sudden torrent of water to rip through the area. As the floodwaters rose rapidly, she revealed that she joined forces with a group attempting to flee the deluge aboard a tractor.
She made contact with her parents several days later and was ultimately rescued by Australian embassy officials, who reached her in a four-wheel drive shortly afterwards.
Tribute to those who helped
Reflecting on her harrowing ordeal, she paid tribute to those who helped her make it out alive. "Grateful to the crew we formed on that first day when we entered the national park on a tractor," she said.
"Sudha, Lucas, Samir, and Saugat - thanks to them I got out safely."
She also spoke of the heartbreaking scenes of destruction she witnessed during her escape. "My heart goes out to all the Nepalese hikers who lost their life and towns," she said.
"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 Britons and death toll
While Cara managed to reach safety, thousands continue to be unaccounted for as frantic search and rescue missions press on. Nearly 3,000 people remain missing five days after the catastrophe, with Nepali and Chinese authorities confirming a revised death toll of at least 810 on Sunday.
A total of 15 British nationals are reported to be missing in China. The missing Britons account for just a fraction of the 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries reported missing in the Tibet Autonomous Region, according to figures released by Chinese authorities.
Chinese authorities have confirmed at least 16 fatalities on their side of the border, though concerns have emerged over a lack of transparency, with footage from last Wednesday's devastating floods having been banned from circulation.
On the Nepali side of the border, 33 British nationals had already been declared missing. This brings the total number of missing British citizens across Tibet and Nepal to 48.
Nepalese police confirmed a total of 794 deaths and at least 2,742 injuries.
Multiple areas remain vulnerable to further flooding, with residents who have returned to their homes urged to remain vigilant and prepared to evacuate again at a moment's notice.
