Australians anxiously await news of loved ones missing after Nepal floods

Anxious families are making impassioned pleas for any information regarding their loved ones, including a Newcastle woman, Reshma Patel, who has been unreachable since just before deadly floods struck the border region of Nepal and Tibet. Patel's family has flown to Nepal to join the search efforts.

Patel, 46, was last seen at a border immigration building approximately 10 minutes before the floodwaters hit. Her family and friends have been unable to contact her since and are deeply concerned for her safety. A friend, Chin Valsan, posted on Facebook, urging anyone with information about Patel's whereabouts or contacts with local authorities to come forward.

Ms. Patel is among 39 Australians confirmed missing following the devastating floods, which have resulted in at least 392 fatalities. Many of the missing Australians, like Ms. Patel, were on spiritual pilgrimages. She was part of a pilgrimage organized by the Isha Foundation, participating in the Kailash Sojourn in the Langtang Valley, a region sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.

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Since then, family and friends have been unable to reach her and are deeply concerned for her safety and wellbeing.

The founder of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru, reported that 80 people from their groups are missing, including 11 Australians. He stated that the immigration building where Ms. Patel and her group were located was completely destroyed by the flood. "Literally the entire group was there in the building," he said, visibly emotional.

Another Australian pilgrim, Kanagamah Sundrasan from Queensland, is also missing. Her daughter, Swaatika Kanniah, mentioned that her mother was scheduled to arrive at her destination the day after the flood. Ms. Kanniah described the situation as worrying due to the lack of contact and difficulty in obtaining information.

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Literally the entire group was there in the building.