6 days ago
Nepal-Tibet Floods Leave Indian Travellers Missing, Stranded
A sudden flash flood hit a travel route between Nepal and Tibet.
The flooding damaged roads, bridges, buildings, and communication links.
At least 46 people were reported dead, and hundreds were reported missing.
Among those whose status was unclear were 37 tourists from Tamil Nadu.
The Isha Foundation also said 77 people were out of contact at an immigration centre.
Other travellers, including groups from Maharashtra, Kerala, and Odisha, were reported safe or stranded in safer places.
Reports about some groups did not match because communication was difficult.
Governments and embassies opened phone lines and worked to find the missing people.
Rescue teams were continuing their search.
Flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border corridor, killing at least 46 people and disrupting communications.
Officials said 37 of 57 Tamil Nadu tourists remained unaccounted for, while 20 had been located.
Isha Foundation said 77 members were out of contact at an immigration centre, while 495 others had returned safely.
More than 130 Indians were reported missing overall, including at least 59 Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims, though figures varied by account.
State governments and the Indian Embassy opened helplines while coordinating rescue and welfare efforts with authorities.
- Who
- Indian tourists and pilgrims, including Tamil Nadu travellers, Isha Foundation members, and people from several Indian states, were affected.
- What
- Flash floods killed at least 46 people and left hundreds missing, stranded, or unaccounted for along the Nepal-Tibet travel corridor.
- Where
- The floods affected Nepal's Rasuwa region, the Bhotekoshi River corridor, and the Gyirong immigration area near the Nepal-Tibet border.
- When
- The flooding began around 9:14 a.m. on Wednesday; reports dated August 26 said several people remained unaccounted for afterward.
- Why
- Floodwater surged into the Bhotekoshi River and affected infrastructure and communications along the border route.
Reports Indicating Safety
Unresolved Accounts
Tamil Nadu tourists
Reports Indicating Safety
Twenty members of the 57-person group were confirmed safe, and one 17-member group sent an audio message saying it was safe. Early reports also suggested the full group might be safe.
Unresolved Accounts
State officials said 37 of the 57 tourists had not been accounted for, while other reports said two Tamil Nadu groups could not be contacted.
Isha Foundation group
Reports Indicating Safety
Isha Foundation said 495 members had returned safely and that it was cooperating with authorities and prepared to assist rescue efforts.
Unresolved Accounts
The foundation said it had received no official information about the 77 members at the immigration centre, and the Nepal government said the centre's staff were also out of contact.
Reported bus accident
Reports Indicating Safety
A tour agency relayed an unverified report that one of three buses carrying pilgrims had plunged into a gorge.
Unresolved Accounts
Authorities had not confirmed the report and were still trying to verify the group's location and safety.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- At least 46 people were reported dead.
- Overall missing figures
- Nearly 500 people were reported missing in one account, while another report said more than 130 Indians were missing.
- Tamil Nadu group
- Of 57 tourists, 20 were accounted for and 37 remained unaccounted for.
- Tamil Nadu groups
- Four groups travelling through four agencies totalled 106 people; two groups were reported safe and two could not be contacted.
- Isha Foundation
- The foundation said 77 members had been at the immigration centre and 495 had returned safely.
- Other Indian travellers
- Four tourists from Maharashtra were safe but stranded, while a 36-person Kerala team was reported safe and away from the affected areas.
- Embassy helplines
- The Indian Embassy listed +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500 for assistance.
Quotes
Isha Foundation member
Employee of the Isha Foundation
“There has been no official information on the whereabouts of any of the people who were at the immigration office. We are working with the authorities to see if we can get to the location and stand ready to be part of the rescue efforts, regardless of the risk involved.”
telegraphindia.com
indianexpress.com
theprint.in
“We will reach Kathmandu tomorrow by flight and from there by flight to Delhi because of this situation and leave behind our vehicles as it won't be possible to travel by road”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
Rajesh Madhavan
CEO of NORKA ROOTS
“We could not establish direct links with all of them, but information available from their families in Kerala indicate that they are safe, but got stranded in various places. NORKA ROOTS office in Delhi is constantly in touch with the Indian Embassy for latest updates.”
indianexpress.com
Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority
Sikkim government disaster-management authority
“People in Sikkim who have family members or relatives currently in Nepal and affected by the floods are requested to contact the helpline (03592-201145, 03592-202461 and 03592-202256) with relevant details”
theprint.in
Sources
Nepal floods: 37 Tamil Nadu tourists missing, 77 Isha members out of contact - Telegraph India
Nepal-Tibet floods: 37 Tamil Nadu pilgrims unaccounted for; 77 Isha group members stranded
Message at 9.05 am, flood at 9.14: Search for Indians missing in Nepal
Nepal floods: 37 tourists from Tamil Nadu, 77 Isha Foundation members among those missing
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