Number of Australians missing in Nepal floods rises to 42 as families await news

The official count of Australians unaccounted for in the Nepal flood disaster has climbed to 42, according to reports published on Sunday. Earlier reports on Friday had placed the number at 39, but the figure has since increased as more names have been added to the list of missing.

One Australian woman who was initially feared missing has since made contact with her parents to confirm she is safe, reducing the number of unaccounted for by one. However, the net total remains at 42, reflecting the addition of new cases.

Among the families waiting for news is that of the Muralitharans, from Sydney. Shylaja Muralitharan, 42, her husband Chandrasekaran, 47, and their sons Ashwin and Aarush were part of a pilgrimage group when the floods hit on Wednesday morning. Relatives have said they are "worried, but hopeful" that the family will be found safe.

Separately, the family of a Newcastle woman have flown to Nepal to search for her, making an impassioned plea for information. Communication with many areas hit by the floods remains cut off, hampering rescue and recovery efforts.

Friends and families of the missing Australians are described as facing a "difficult" wait for news as rescue teams continue to search through debris and receding waters.

Why This Matters

The rising number of missing Australians highlights the severity of the flash flooding in Nepal and the ongoing danger for trekkers and pilgrims in the region.
For the families involved, the uncertainty compounds the trauma of the disaster, with communication blackouts and difficult terrain slowing rescue operations.
The incident underscores the risks faced by Australian travellers in remote, high-altitude areas during monsoon season.

Background

Nepal's monsoon season regularly triggers flash floods and landslides, particularly in mountainous regions popular with trekkers and pilgrims. The floods on Wednesday are among the deadliest in recent years, resulting in widespread destruction and dozens of fatalities. Australian authorities have been working with Nepalese officials to locate missing citizens, but rugged terrain and damaged infrastructure have complicated efforts.

Key Perspectives

Families of the missing: Desperate for information, with some travelling to Nepal to search in person. They express hope but acknowledge the difficulty of the situation. Australian government: Diplomats and consular staff are assisting with the search, but limited access to affected areas restricts their ability to provide updates. Nepalese authorities: Focused on rescue and recovery; communication outages and damage to roads make it hard to confirm the status of individuals.

What to Watch

Whether the number of missing Australians rises or falls as more people are located or confirmed dead.
Updates on the Muralitharan family and the Newcastle woman, as their cases are among the most prominent.
Any official statements from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the status of the search effort.

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