Two brothers and medical students from the University of Newcastle and a Rankin Park woman are among the 39 Australians missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet.
A spokesperson from the university confirmed on Friday that brothers Rishab Sreedharan Iyer, 23, and Rudhra Sreedharan Iyer, 20, have not been accounted for in the aftermath of the disaster, which killed 469 people as of Friday afternoon Australian time.
Rishab is a fifth-year student in the Joint Medical Program (JMP), based at the Gosford campus, and his brother Rudhra is in his third year of the JMP.
The brothers were understood to be travelling with their parents Sreedharan Iyer, 52, and Lakshmi Sreedharan Iyer, 50, who live in Cherrybrook in north-western Sydney.
"We are thinking of them, their families, their fellow students and teaching staff, as well as the many people who have been impacted by this devastating event and we hope that both students can be located soon," University of Newcastle vice chancellor Alex Zelinsky said.
"We understand that extensive infrastructure damage has disrupted communications in some affected areas, making it difficult to establish contact.
"Our teams are working to connect with members of our university community who may be affected to offer our support.
"We have more than 450 students studying with us from Nepal and many others with strong links to this region. Our priority is supporting our students and staff during this very sad time."
Rankin Park woman and mother-of-two Reshma Patel, 46, has also been confirmed missing by family friend Chin Valsan.
Her last known whereabouts were at an immigration office near the Nepal-Tibet border 10 minutes before the flood.
"Reshma was travelling in the Nepal/Tibet region and was caught in the recent floods affecting the area," Mr Valsan posted on social media.
"Her last known contact was near the Nepal-Tibet border. Since then, family and friends have been unable to reach her and are deeply concerned for her safety and wellbeing.
"She was travelling back home after visiting the Kailash Mansarovar temple. She was with the Isha Foundation pilgrimage group S3."
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for International Development Anne Aly issued a joint statement confirming that 39 Australians were missing and the Australian government had provided $5 million for humanitarian assistance to support urgent disaster response and recovery efforts.
"We understand at least 39 Australians are among those reported missing," Ms Wong and Ms Aly said.
"Australian officials are working urgently to confirm their welfare and provide assistance to those affected.
"The extraordinary scale of this disaster and the remoteness of the affected region mean immense challenges lie ahead for the response and recovery.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying additional personnel to support Australians affected by the disaster."
