Family of four missing in Nepal flood disaster practised hiking around Sydney before Himalayan trek: ‘Kindest people you’ll ever meet’
The second Australian family missing on a large tour caught in Nepal’s central floods has been identified.
The Muralitharan family had spent weeks hiking around their neighbourhood in Sydney ahead of their trip to Nepal.
Chandrasekaran and Shylaja Muralitharan, alongside their young sons Ashwin and Aarush, were part of the tour with US-based company Himalayan Glacier Trekking, The Australian reported.
It’s understood Ashwin and Aarush are the 11-year-old and 14-year-old boys believed to be the youngest of the missing Australians.
The family’s neighbour, Sam Ghosh, described the family as the ‘kindest people you’ll ever meet’.
Mr Ghosh said Sydney’s Hindu community was on edge with several popular members lost in the floods.
‘It’s been a very challenging time … but we’re looking after each other,’ he said.
The other Australian family, also from northwestern Sydney, were the Iyers – Sridharan Iyer, Roopa Sridhar, Rudhra Sreedharan Iyer and Rishabh Sridharan Iyer.
Couple Shylaja Muralitharan (left) and Chandrasekaran Muralitharan (right) from northwest Sydney are missing in Nepal’s floods
Chandrasekaran and Shylaja Muralitharan are unaccounted for alongside their two young sons, Ashwin and Aarush (above)
Mud and debris covers roads and buildings following flash floods at Devighat in Bidur Municipality, Nuwakot district, Nepal
Many of the Australians, and other tourists in the region, had travelled to the area for a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet.
The mountain is a sacred place in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon. Summer, from June to August, is the most popular time of year for the trek.
Most of the missing Australians were part of two tours in the area, the Himalayan Glacier Trekking group and a second organised by Kailash Journeys.
Another 11 Australians were travelling with the Isha Foundation, a spiritual non-profit, when the disaster struck.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at least 34 Australians have gone missing in the flood, which was triggered by a landslide causing glacial collapse on Wednesday morning, local time.
Nepalese authorities had the number at 35 Australians on Thursday afternoon.
Horrifying footage showed a wall of water wiping out towns along the Trishuli River, killing hundreds.
Nepal Police on Thursday night confirmed 359 deaths.
Massive flash flooding hit central Nepal on Wednesday morning (pictured is a flood survivior outside her home in Devighat)
The Iyers (above), from northwest Sydney, were the second Australian family travelling with Himalayan Glacier Trekking
More than 800 remain missing in Nepal and over 550 in Tibet. Among them are almost 650 tourists.
Thousands of personnel from Nepal and China are conducting rescue efforts but Nepalese authorities confirmed ongoing flooding made it difficult for helicopters to land.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is ‘urgently’ working to check on the missing Australians.
The department’s 24-hour emergency hotline can be domestically reached at 1300 555 135. If calling from overseas, the number is +61 2 6261 3305.
‘We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the significant flooding in Nepal and Tibet, China,’ a DFAT spokeswoman told the Daily Mail on Thursday.
‘Australians in the affected area should follow the advice of local authorities.
‘We are aware of a number of Australians in the area and Australian officials are urgently working to confirm their welfare.
‘We are liaising with local authorities as well as tour operators.
‘The loss of life and destruction caused by flash flooding in Nepal and China is devastating.
‘Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those killed or missing and all affected by this disaster.
