Archive · 26 Aug 2026
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.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday morning at about 9 a.m. local time; the official pilgrimage took place this year.
- 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.
- Why
- The flood caused the disaster, while pilgrims undertake the journey because the sites hold deep religious and cultural significance.
- 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