6 days ago
Nepal Flash Floods Leave Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing
A sudden flood hit an area near Nepal’s border with Tibet.
Some people traveling on the Kailash Mansarovar yatra cannot currently be contacted.
Isha Foundation said 77 pilgrims and three volunteers are unaccounted for.
Richa Tours gave a different account involving 86 travelers from India, other countries and Nepal.
The flood destroyed a customs and immigration building and a nearby village.
Rescue teams from Nepal and mountain guides are searching and helping people.
Some travelers are waiting in Kathmandu or Tibet for instructions and a safe border route.
Officials and families are hoping that missing people are found alive.
Isha Foundation said it cannot account for 77 pilgrims and three stationed volunteers after a flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa District.
The foundation said 743 people remain in Tibet at different stages of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra, while 148 wait in Kathmandu.
Richa Tours reported losing contact with 61 Indians, seven non-resident Indians and 18 Nepalese travelers.
Authorities said the customs and immigration building was washed away, with rescue efforts involving Nepalese forces and mountaineering guides.
Travel coordinators urged pilgrims to stay sheltered, prioritize hydration and avoid crossing hazardous routes while evacuation options are assessed.
- Who
- Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, Isha Foundation volunteers, tour groups and rescue personnel from Nepal were affected.
- What
- A flash flood washed away a customs and immigration building and left several groups of travelers unaccounted for.
- Where
- The flooding struck Rasuwa District in Nepal near the Tibet border; other travelers were in Kathmandu and Tibet.
- When
- The flood had occurred more than 24 hours before the reported updates.
- Why
- The flood destroyed infrastructure and a nearby Nepal-side village, disrupting travel and communications and prompting rescue and evacuation efforts.
Isha Foundation Account
Richa Tours Account
Number of people unaccounted for
Isha Foundation Account
Isha Foundation said it was unaware of the whereabouts of 77 people who were at immigration, along with three stationed volunteers.
Richa Tours Account
Richa Tours said it had lost contact with 61 Indians, seven non-resident Indians and 18 Nepalese travelers, and separately described approximately 600 yatris as missing.
Immediate response
Isha Foundation Account
Isha Foundation said it appealed to the Chinese embassies to allow Sadhguru and volunteers to assist and was hoping survivors would be found.
Richa Tours Account
Richa Tours said it had shared traveler lists with diplomatic missions and that rescue operations were underway involving Nepalese forces and mountaineering guides.
Key facts
- Isha Foundation groups
- There were 21 groups for the Kailash Mansarovar yatra.
- Pilgrims in Tibet
- Isha Foundation said 743 people were in Tibet at different stages of the yatra.
- People in Kathmandu
- 148 people were waiting in Kathmandu to begin their yatra.
- Isha Foundation unaccounted for
- The foundation said it did not know the whereabouts of 77 people at immigration and three stationed Nepal-side volunteers.
- Richa Tours report
- Richa Tours said contact had been lost with 61 Indians, seven non-resident Indians and 18 Nepalese people.
- Rescue effort
- The Nepalese Army, Nepalese Police and mountaineering guides were reported to be involved in rescue operations.
- Completed journeys
- About 495 people had completed the yatra and returned home, according to Isha Foundation.
Quotes
Maa Gambhiri
Coordinator of Isha Foundation’s sacred walks
“One of our groups, the S3 group that we met at Saga, also met them (the missing 80 people) when we were trekking up, they were coming down. This includes 34 male and 46 female participants and a few other volunteers who were camped in nearby hotels, three volunteers and one doctor. But we have no official confirmation of any kind. Looking at the scale of destruction, it looks bad”
indianexpress.com
“We are hoping against hope that there would be survivors”
indianexpress.com
Umesh Zirpe
Veteran mountaineer and president of Akhil Maharashtra Giryarohan Mahasangh
“There is a need to strictly prioritise your health and hydration at high altitudes. With routes like the Kodari border likely to open for evacuation, there is a need for travellers to assist in the efforts and avoid crossing hazardous zones on their own”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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