4 days ago
Mumbai Kailash Pilgrims Remain Untraceable After Nepal Border Floods
A large group from Mumbai went to Nepal for a religious pilgrimage.
They were last heard from just before severe floods hit the Nepal-Tibet border.
The floods destroyed important roads and immigration facilities.
Families have not been able to contact many of the travelers.
Some phone and smartwatch locations showed people near border checkpoints.
Travel company representatives and relatives are trying to find out what happened.
Other Mumbai travelers may also be missing in the same area.
Families want authorities to provide information through one organized system.
A 61-member Mumbai Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage group has been unreachable since August 25.
The group was due to travel from Timure to the China border on August 26, when floods devastated border infrastructure.
Families say messages went unread and authorities have not provided definitive information about the group’s whereabouts.
Separate Mumbai families reported other missing travelers, including a group of about 27 people and a 67-year-old man with four friends.
Relatives are seeking coordinated updates, including a centralized system listing missing, rescued and deceased travelers.
- Who
- A 61-member pilgrimage group from Mumbai, led by Dr Milind Chitley and Janhavi Chitley, along with other Mumbai travelers reported missing by their families.
- What
- The travelers remain untraceable after flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border region.
- Where
- The travelers were in or near Timure and the Nepal-Tibet border, with one reported phone location near Gyirong Port.
- When
- The group was last heard from on August 25, before or during the floods on August 26, 2026.
- Why
- Flash floods devastated border infrastructure and may have disrupted travel, communications and immigration operations.
Key facts
- Main group
- A 61-member Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage group from Mumbai
- Group leaders
- Doctor-mountaineer Milind Chitley and his wife, Janhavi Chitley
- Last contact
- Families last heard from the main group on August 25; messages sent on August 26 remained unread
- Disaster timing
- Flash floods destroyed key immigration infrastructure on the morning of August 26
- Planned return
- The main group was scheduled to return to Mumbai on September 6
- Other missing travelers
- One reported group comprised around 27 people; another included Avnish Merchant and four friends
- Families’ request
- Relatives called for a centralized system covering missing, rescued and deceased travelers
Quotes
Sanjay Patankar
Brother of missing Mumbai pilgrim Satish Patankar
“It is a difficult situation. It would be better if there is a single-window facility to get information about casualties. There needs to be a structure so that families need not run from pillar to post.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“Satish messaged me on the evening of August 25 that his group had reached Timure and was scheduled to cross the border the following day.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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