‘We just want them to return’: relatives of Australians missing in Nepal floods wait anxiously for news of loved ones

Family of two Sydney boys and their parents, who are among 39 Australians identified as missing after flash flooding, ‘worried, but hopeful’

The family of two Sydney boys who went missing with their parents in flash flooding in Nepal say they remain hopeful they will be found safe.

Shylaja Muralitharan, 42, her husband, Chandrasekaran Muralitharan, 47, and their two sons Ashwin, 14 and Aarush, 11, were taking part in a pilgrimage when the flood hit on Wednesday morning.

The family of four are among 39 Australians identified as missing in the region, with the death toll climbing to nearly 400, and about 1,400 people, mostly tourists, yet to be accounted for.

Shylaja’s younger sister, Vaishnavi, said that she had lost contact with the family shortly after breakfast on the morning of the flood.

They planned to head towards an immigration checkpoint on the Tibet-Nepal border soon after, as part of the group of 15 Australians trekking as part of the Himalayan Glacier Adventures tour.

“Just like everyone else that’s part of that group, we’re really worried, but hopeful,” Vaishnavi told the Guardian.

“It’s a very difficult time for our whole family … I just want to make people aware that they’re there, and we’re waiting, and we just want them to return.”

Vaishnavi, who asked that her surname not be published, confirmed the family were close with other members of the group who had also travelled from Sydney for the Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, in Tibet.

“They had been planning for some time, and preparing, because it’s quite a trek.

“They were all working very hard together to make sure they could successfully complete it.

Vaishnavi said it was difficult to get clear information about what was being done to find those who missing. She has spoken with department of foreign affairs and trade officials.

“We do want to know what efforts are being made … we’re not aware of what is actually happening there.”

Australian woman Sumi Adhikari was at an immigration office at the Gyirong Post crossing when the flood waters arrived. She was travelling as part of an Isha Foundation pilgrimage to the reigon.