An Australian woman feared missing after devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal has been found safe and well.
Cara Severino, 26, was confirmed safe after making contact with her family following days without communication during a trek in the Langtang region.
“Seeing Cara’s name appear on my message bank, hearing her voice and now seeing her photo and speaking with her has been the most miraculous gift,” her parents said in a statement.
“The scale of this tragedy is staggering and amidst our personal joy we continue to stand in prayer with the many families here in Australia, in Nepal and around the world who have lost loved ones or are still waiting to hear from them, we know that the waiting is horrendous.”
Officials are transporting Ms Severino to a safe location ahead of plans for her return back to Australia.
Her survival has provided a rare moment of relief as rescuers continue a desperate search for dozens of other Australians still unaccounted for.
A total of 42 Australians remain missing following the disaster, which struck the Nepal Tibet border region on August 26 after a catastrophic glacial collapse triggered massive flooding and landslides.
The overall death toll has continued to climb, with reports putting the number killed in Nepal and Tibet at more than 780, while more than 3,000 people remain missing across the affected areas.
The disaster has caused widespread devastation, washing away roads, bridges, buildings and other critical infrastructure and leaving some communities isolated.
Rescue operations involving thousands of Nepalese personnel are continuing, but difficult terrain, damaged roads, unstable conditions and the threat of further flooding and landslides are hampering efforts.
Authorities are also facing the grim task of recovering and identifying bodies, with limited morgue and forensic capacity creating additional challenges.
Australian consular officials are working with Nepalese authorities and international partners to locate missing Australians, while additional Australian crisis response personnel have been deployed to the region.
The Australian Government has also warned travellers that the danger is far from over.
Smartraveller continues to advise Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution” in Nepal overall, while recommending that travellers reconsider their need to visit areas within 50 kilometres of the Trishuli River in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Nawalpur districts because of the continuing risk of severe flooding and landslides.
It is also advising Australians in affected areas to follow local authorities, stay away from riverbanks and low lying areas and postpone overland travel between Nepal and Tibet.
The disaster has also prompted a major response from the travel industry.
Intrepid Travel has increased its initial fundraising commitment through The Intrepid Foundation, announcing it will now match donations dollar for dollar up to $200,000 for an emergency appeal supporting the Australian Red Cross response in Nepal.
The funds will support emergency shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, first aid and health services for communities devastated by the floods.
Intrepid says all of its travellers and local team members in Nepal are accounted for and safe, with no Intrepid customers or staff in the affected regions when the disaster struck.
“Nepal has been at the heart of Intrepid’s story for more than 30 years,” said co-founder Darrell Wade on social media.
“We’re committed to supporting communities, partners and people affected by this tragedy.
“Nepal has welcomed our travellers from around the world with extraordinary warmth and generosity for decades. Now we must stand with the communities that have given so much to so many.”
To donate, please visit: https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/t/nepal-flood-appeal
