Australian Woman Safe After Nepal Floods, Still Trekking 110km to Kathmandu

A 25‑year‑old Australian woman has made contact with her parents after being reported missing in the flash floods that struck the China‑Nepal border on Wednesday, bringing relief to families who have been waiting for any news. Cara Severino, who was hiking the Langtang trek when the disaster hit, is the first of 39 Australians confirmed safe, although she is still trekking more than 110 km to Kathmandu on foot with a group of Nepali hikers.

Severino’s parents, Debbie and Frank Severino of Victoria, said the daughter had no phone reception and her phone battery had died, but that she had called them on Friday morning from Gosainkunda. “She was hiking the Langtang trek and was stranded,” the parents wrote. “With communications down we had no contact. This morning she was able to call us from Gosainkunda where she has been able to reach along with some other Nepali hikers. We understand that they are attempting to reach Kathmandu on foot.” They added that they “eagerly await more information about her safe return” and that “our thoughts and prayers are with all the families awaiting news.”

The floods that began on Wednesday killed at least 469 people and left more than 1,500 missing across the region. In Nepal, authorities have released details of 35 of the missing Australians, most of whom were part of four organised groups, many of them participating in the Mount Kailash Hindu pilgrimage. Severino is the only Australian missing who was not traveling with a tour agency.

The disaster occurred after a sudden surge of water from a dam on the Kosi River, which runs along the China‑Nepal border. The torrent swept away roads, bridges and villages, trapping thousands of residents and tourists. Rescue operations have been hampered by the sheer scale of the damage and the remote locations of many affected communities.

Severino’s trek from Gosainkunda to Kathmandu is expected to take several days. The route passes through rugged terrain that was heavily damaged by the flood, and the group has had to rely on local guides and supplies they can carry. Nepal’s National Disaster Management Authority has deployed search and rescue teams, but the focus remains on locating people who are still trapped in the flood’s wake.

While Severino’s safe contact is a welcome development, her story underscores the broader challenges faced by international travelers in the region. The Australian Government has issued travel advisories urging citizens to avoid the Kosi River valley and to register with the nearest Australian embassy or consulate. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been coordinating with Nepali authorities to track missing Australians and to facilitate repatriation where possible.

Families of the missing Australians have been organising vigils and prayer groups in cities across Australia. Some have called for increased support from the Australian government to assist with search efforts and to provide financial assistance to affected families. The Australian Red Cross and other NGOs have offered to assist with logistics and medical support, although the scale of the disaster has stretched resources thin.

The Nepalese diaspora has also been mobilising to help. Community organisations have set up donation drives and are coordinating with local authorities to provide shelter and food to displaced residents. Nepali volunteers are working alongside international teams to clear debris and to restore essential services.

In the days ahead, authorities will continue to focus on locating the remaining missing Australians and other residents. Rescue teams are operating in the hardest-hit areas, and the Nepalese government has pledged to provide additional resources as the situation develops. For Cara Severino, the priority is reaching Kathmandu safely, after which she will likely be reunited with her family and will be able to report on her experience during the flood.