‘Miraculous gift’: Family of Australian who survived Nepalese floods rejoices

The family of an Australian woman thought to have been missing in the Nepalese floods has said her survival was a “miracle”, as they thanked the Australian government and Nepalese hiking partners who got her out safely.

Cara Severino, 26, was listed as missing following the devastating floods which swept across regions in Nepal and China on Wednesday. At least 41 Australians remain unaccounted for, while thousands of people are dead or missing.

Severino managed to contact her parents on Friday after two days’ hiking through the devastated area. She was located by consular officials in Nepal on Saturday , who drove out from Kathmandu to meet her.

Severino’s parents, Debbie and Frank, said they were “beyond relieved and elated” that she had been found safe.

“We can’t wait to hold her in our loving arms,” they said in a statement distributed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Sunday.

“Seeing Cara’s name appear on my MessageBank, hearing her voice and now seeing her photo and speaking with her has been the most miraculous gift.”

The pair thanked their church, Jesus, family and friends who had prayed for the “miracle”, as well as the Australian consular response teams and local teams.

“We are so grateful to her Nepalese hiking partners who saw her through a harrowing several days of hiking in very difficult terrain, so thankful that they have all made it to safety,” they said.

“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.”

The pair encouraged people to donate via the Emergency Action Alliance webpage.

Cara Severino said in a statement on Saturday that she felt “blessed” to be Australian and to have support from the embassy and the government.

“I’m so grateful for the crew we formed on that first day when we entered the national park on the tractor. Sudha, Lucas, Samir and Saugat. It’s thanks to these amazing people I got out safely,” she said.

“I feel for the families of those still missing – I know how much my family and friends went through.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday his “thoughts and prayers” were with the families of those missing and the people of Nepal.