6 days ago
Nepal Floods Strand Kailash Pilgrims; Rasuwa Route Explained
Flash floods hit Nepal’s Rasuwa district near a border crossing to Tibet.
Many people traveling to or from Mount Kailash were caught in the disaster.
Hundreds were still missing more than a day later, including 137 Indians in the latest report.
The Rasuwa route is one of the main private travel paths to Kailash Mansarovar.
Travelers usually begin in Kathmandu and drive to the border before continuing into Tibet.
The trip takes about 10 to 14 days by road and costs more than Rs 3 lakh.
Many people choose it because private operators do not use a lottery and accept travelers from many countries.
India’s official routes are cheaper but have limited places and require selection through a lottery.
Flash floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa district affected tourist groups near the Rasuwagadhi border crossing to Tibet.
More than 24 hours later, hundreds remained unaccounted for, including 137 Indians according to the latest figures.
A record 13,523 religious tourists and pilgrims used the Rasuwagadhi crossing during fiscal year 2025-26.
The Rasuwa overland journey from Kathmandu typically takes 10–14 days and costs more than Rs 3 lakh.
Pilgrims increasingly choose private Nepal routes because they have no lottery cap and are open to foreigners and non-resident Indians.
- Who
- Tourist groups and religious pilgrims, including 137 Indians among those reportedly unaccounted for, were affected.
- What
- Flash floods stranded or disrupted travelers using the Rasuwa route to or from Kailash Mansarovar.
- Where
- Rasuwa district and the Rasuwagadhi border crossing between Nepal and Tibet.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday; hundreds were still unaccounted for more than 24 hours later. The route saw 13,523 pilgrims during fiscal year 2025-26.
- Why
- The route has become popular because private operators have no fixed cap or lottery, and it is available to foreign nationals and non-resident Indians.
Key facts
- Reported unaccounted Indians
- 137, according to the latest figures cited
- Pilgrims using Rasuwagadhi
- 13,523 religious tourists and pilgrims in fiscal year 2025-26
- Year-on-year increase
- 18.75% compared with the previous year
- Overland route duration
- About 10–14 days from Kathmandu
- Private-route cost
- More than Rs 3 lakh from Kathmandu, depending on facilities
- Official Indian-route cost
- About Rs 2 lakh per person
- Official Indian-route capacity
- About 1,000 pilgrims annually, selected through a computerized lottery
Sources
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