Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Sadhguru Stayed in Tibet as Flood Search Offered Little Hope
A powerful flash flood hit the Gyirong Port area on August 26.
An immigration building where 77 Isha pilgrims were present was washed away.
Sadhguru stayed in Tibet instead of leaving by plane immediately.
He wanted to help the 77 people and more than 700 other Isha members still in Tibet.
The group tried to get permission to reach the disaster site, but Chinese military and rescue teams controlled access.
Isha said it had not received official information about the missing participants.
Search teams resumed work on August 28, but the foundation said there were no encouraging signs of survivors at the immigration office.
Volunteers and helplines are supporting families while teams collect more information.
Sadhguru reportedly declined immediate air evacuation to help arrange a land route for more than 700 Isha members still in Tibet.
A flash flood on August 26 washed away the immigration office at Gyirong Port, where 77 Isha pilgrims were present.
Isha Foundation said it had received no specific or official information about the 77 participants.
Chinese search and rescue operations resumed around noon on August 28 after a pause caused by secondary flood risks.
Isha teams, volunteers, helplines, and family-support groups are gathering and sharing information from Nepal, Tibet, and Chinese media reports.
- Who
- Sadhguru, the Isha Foundation, 77 Isha pilgrims, and more than 700 other Isha members in Tibet.
- What
- A flash flood destroyed the immigration office at Gyirong Port, leaving the status of 77 Isha pilgrims unknown while rescue operations continued.
- When
- The flood occurred on August 26; Chinese search and rescue operations resumed around noon on August 28, according to Isha Foundation.
- Where
- Gyirong Port in Tibet, near the Nepal border; support and information teams were also operating in Kathmandu and nearby areas.
- Why
- Sadhguru reportedly stayed in Tibet to seek assistance for the 77 affected pilgrims and help secure a land route for more than 700 members to leave Tibet.
Immediate Evacuation
Remaining to Assist
Sadhguru’s response to the crisis
Immediate Evacuation
The Indian government reportedly pressed Sadhguru to leave Tibet by air immediately.
Remaining to Assist
Sadhguru chose to remain and pursue a land route so he could assist at the disaster site and help more than 700 Isha members exit Tibet.
Access to the disaster site
Immediate Evacuation
Leaving by air would have prioritized rapid evacuation from a dangerous and restricted area.
Remaining to Assist
The Isha Foundation sought permissions to reach Gyirong, but Chinese military and rescue teams restricted access while searches were underway.
- Disaster date
- August 26
- Location
- Gyirong Port, Tibet
- Participants affected
- 77 Isha pilgrims were at the immigration centre when it was washed away.
- Other members in Tibet
- More than 700 Isha members remained in Tibet.
- Search operations
- Chinese authorities resumed search and rescue operations around noon on August 28.
- Access to site
- Isha said its teams could not obtain permission to reach the disaster area because Chinese military and rescue operations restricted access.
- Family support
- Isha established helplines and volunteer teams, including groups in Kathmandu and near Gyirong.
