Kathmandu- At least 34 Australians are among hundreds of foreign nationals feared missing after a catastrophic flash flood tore through the rugged border region between Nepal and Tibet, killing at least 157 people and trapping tourists along popular trekking and pilgrimage routes.

The surge of mud and water swept through steep valleys on Wednesday morning, wiping out villages, destroying hydropower plants, and severing critical bridges.

What We Know About the Missing Australians

 Impacted Travelers: Tourism officials in Nepal confirmed that 34 Australian citizens were among 341 foreign nationals registered as missing following the torrent.

 Trekking Routes Severed: The deluge hit key travel corridors near the Rasuwa district border and Gyirong County in Tibet. August is a prime window for cross-border trips connecting Nepal to Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash circuit.

 Massive Search Operations: Emergency services in Nepal and Tibet are attempting to reach isolated trekking corridors along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, where landslides have cut off road access and swept away at least 19 bridges.

Advice for Australian Families & Travelers

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) typically urges Australians in affected regions to follow all local emergency instructions and contact loved ones as soon as communications allow.

 Consular Assistance: Australians seeking urgent consular help or families concerned for relatives in the region should contact DFAT’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre at 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).

 Smartraveller Registration: Australians traveling in Nepal are advised to monitor local weather warnings, avoid riverbanks, and update their registration details via the Smartraveller portal.