1 week ago
Nepal Flash Floods Highlight Risks of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
A large flash flood hit part of Nepal near the Himalayan border.
The flood killed at least 22 people and many others are still missing.
Some of the missing people are Indians traveling on a religious journey.
This journey is called the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are important holy places for several religions.
The Indian government chose 1,000 pilgrims for its official journey this year, and 941 finished it.
Other Indians travel with private tour groups through Nepal.
The journey is difficult because the mountains are very high and the weather can be dangerous.
Flash floods struck Nepal’s Himalayan border region on Wednesday morning, killing at least 22 people and leaving more than 400 missing.
Among those missing are 108 Indians who were traveling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
The government-organized pilgrimage selected 1,000 Indians in 20 groups, with 941 completing the journey this year.
Pilgrims traveled through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand or Nathu La in Sikkim, while private operators used routes through Nepal.
Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon followers, but the journey involves high altitude, extreme weather and difficult terrain.
- Who
- At least 22 people died, more than 400 are missing, and 108 missing Indians were undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
- What
- Flash floods swept through Nepal’s Himalayan border region, affecting villages, project sites and pilgrimage travelers.
- Where
- The flooding occurred near the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s border region, reportedly from the direction of Tibet; the pilgrimage destination is Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday morning at about 9 a.m. local time; the official pilgrimage took place this year.
- Why
- The flood caused the disaster, while pilgrims undertake the journey because the sites hold deep religious and cultural significance.
Key facts
- Deaths reported
- At least 22 people
- People missing
- More than 400
- Missing Indian pilgrims
- 108
- Official pilgrims selected
- 1,000 Indians in 20 batches of 50
- Official pilgrims who completed the journey
- 941
- Official routes
- Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim
- Mount Kailash elevation
- Approximately 6,638 metres
- Lake Mansarovar elevation
- Approximately 4,590 metres
Sources
Related news
Nepal Floods, Kailash Pilgrims, H-1B Fees and India’s Week
Why Mount Kailash’s Sacred Pilgrimage Faces Himalayan Flood Dangers
Nepal Flash Flood Leaves Nearly 400 Kailash Pilgrims Unreachable
Nepal Floods Reveal Risks on Private Kailash Pilgrimage Routes
Nepal Floods Strand Kailash Pilgrims; Rasuwa Route Explained
Families Seek Missing Pilgrims After Nepal-Tibet Border Floods
Satellite Radar May Strengthen Nepal's Flood Warning Systems
Nepal Plans New Landslide Warning System Along China Border
Nepal Thanks India as Glacial Disaster Rescue Efforts Continue
Nepal Warns of Heavy Rain After Deadly Floods
Nepal Flood Exposes Delayed Alerts and Cross-Border Warning Gaps
