The 41 Australians missing in the Nepal-Tibet floods, and what we know about them

The parents of an Australian woman hiking through Nepal and around the region impacted by the tragic flooding have confirmed their daughter is alive.

A majority of the 41 Australians still missing after the devastating flash flooding in Nepal and Tibet were pilgrims on a journey to one of the most spiritually significant locations in the world.

Through both overtly religious travel groups, or traditional groups offering pilgrimage packages, they were seeking to trek to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar as part of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, where they cross into Tibet from Nepal.

Families across the country are reeling in the aftermath of the disaster, as the number of Australians reported missing rises and loved ones at home hold out hope for any good news.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says 41 Australians are now missing – up from 38 missing yesterday. The new figure does not include Cara Severino, 26 , whose parents confirmed she had made contact and was alive.

Fifteen of the missing Australians were travelling with the Himalayan Glacier Adventure and Travel Kailash Group, six others were travelling with the Kailash Journeys tour group, and 11 were on a pilgrimage with non-profit spiritual organisation the Isha Foundation. The whereabouts of one traveller with Kathmandu Holiday Tours and Travel, and six other Australian travellers remain unknown.

Indian-Australian community leader Vasan Srinivasan said the other 14 missing Australians from the Himalayan Glacier pilgrimage were Sydney-based members of a cultural and religious non-profit he founded called the Australia Bharatha Brahman Samajam.

“We are all very distressed and trying to track them. I’m just praying.” He said those missing worked in various professions, including the financial industry, and many were his close professional friends.

The family of Royal Air Force member Karan Bhardwaj is pleading for information after losing contact with the Brisbane father, who was travelling with tour group Kailash Journeys when the flash floods hit.

“Karan is a dad to my beautiful 7-year-old nephew, as well as a brother, uncle and brother-in-law,” wrote his family member Jen, who asked for her last name to be omitted for privacy reasons.

“He is so deeply loved by his family, and right now we are desperately praying, hoping and believing that Karan is safe, alive and somehow making his way back to us.

“If you are in Nepal, travelling in the area, know someone who is there, have seen Karan, or have ANY information about his whereabouts, please contact the appropriate authorities or rescue teams immediately.”

Michael Keats from NSW was understood to be returning from a journey to Mount Kailash in Tibet, and had reached the border crossing into Nepal when the floods struck. The 37-year-old had been due to arrive home from his journey on Thursday night.

A keen bushwalker, Keat’s family describing the agony of not knowing his whereabouts as “unbearable”.