6 days ago
Families Seek Missing Pilgrims After Nepal-Tibet Border Floods
A sudden flood and landslide hit a mountain border area between Nepal and Tibet.
The rushing water carried mud and rocks onto roads and near an immigration crossing.
Many people traveling to Mount Kailash were caught in the disaster.
Reports say more than 1,300 people, and possibly nearly 1,500, are missing.
Indians make up the largest group of foreign travelers reported missing.
Groups from Mumbai, Kolkata and Tamil Nadu are among those affected.
One Tamil Nadu bus escaped, but people on two other buses may have been swept away.
Rescuers and officials are searching while families call agencies and emergency helplines for news.
Some travelers have been located or rescued, but the numbers may change as more information becomes available.
More than 1,300 to nearly 1,500 people are reported missing after flash floods and landslides struck the Nepal-Tibet border.
At least 288 to 300 Indians are reported missing in Nepal, while about 200 Indians remain stranded in China.
Pilgrimage groups from Mumbai and Kolkata lost contact while traveling toward Tibet’s Mount Kailash and Manasarovar.
A 57-member Tamil Nadu group was traveling in three buses; one bus reached safety, while the other two were reportedly swept away.
Families, tour operators and government agencies are using helplines, local authorities and rescue operations to locate travelers.
- Who
- Pilgrims, tourists and tour-operator staff, including hundreds of Indians and other foreign nationals, are missing or stranded; rescuers and government agencies are searching for them.
- What
- Flash floods and landslides struck the Nepal-Tibet border, cutting communication and reportedly sweeping away vehicles and people.
- Where
- The affected area includes Nepal’s Rasuwa district, the Rasuwagadhi border and Tibet’s Gyirong border crossing on the route to Mount Kailash.
- When
- The disaster occurred on Wednesday during the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage season.
- Why
- A wall of mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river, sending a surge of water through the pilgrimage and tourist corridor.
Key facts
- People reported missing
- More than 1,300 people in one report and nearly 1,500 in another, including more than 700 foreigners.
- Indian nationals
- At least 288 Indians were reported missing in Nepal by India’s foreign ministry; Nepal’s foreign minister cited at least 300.
- Indians stranded in China
- About 200 Indian nationals remained stranded in China, according to India’s foreign ministry.
- Tamil Nadu group
- Super Yathra Agency sent 57 people in three buses; one bus reportedly reached safety while two others were swept away.
- Mumbai group
- A Hills and Trails group of roughly 60 travelers included Sunil Subhedar; officials confirmed 37 had reached safety, while the others remained unclear.
- Kolkata group
- A 32-member group traveling through Chalo Jai Travel Club lost contact near the Rasuwagadhi border, along with two agency managers.
- Reported rescue updates
- Nepal said rescuers had located about 100 missing Indian visitors and 25 Chinese workers.
- Emergency response
- The Indian embassy in Kathmandu and authorities in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh established helplines.
Quotes
Soumya Mohapatra
Cousin of missing Australia-based couple Sandeep Mohapatra and his wife.
“I spoke to my father the day before yesterday. Since yesterday, I have been trying to get any information about him. I have been calling people who travelled with him, going to offices, and speaking to officials.”
theprint.in
“The group was travelling on three buses in Nepal. A member of the group told us that one vehicle carrying about 20 people managed to get through safely, while passengers saw another bus plunge into a gorge.”
telegraphindia.com
Company spokesperson
Spokesperson for Chalo Jai Travel Club
“The agency has been unable to contact any of the 32 travellers and has sent a team to Kathmandu to try to locate the group and assess what can be done.”
theprint.in
Sources
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