Archive · 27 Aug 2026
21 Tamil Nadu Kailash Pilgrims Rescued Amid Nepal Floods
People from Tamil Nadu traveled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
Heavy rain caused sudden floods near the Nepal-Tibet border.
The floods damaged roads and cut telephone connections.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu were rescued.
A spiritual leader said 77 pilgrims had been at an immigration center in Gyirong, Tibet, when the flood struck.
He also said 495 travelers had already returned safely.
Other travelers were still in Tibet, Nepal, or at places affected by the flooding.
Families were worried because they could not contact some relatives.
Rescue teams and government officials were working to find and assist everyone.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 21 Tamil Nadu nationals were rescued in Nepal.
The pilgrims were traveling as part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Flash floods and heavy rain disrupted roads and telecommunications near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Sadhguru said 77 pilgrims were at the flooded Gyirong immigration center, while 3 volunteers were in Timure, Nepal.
Families continued seeking information about untraced travelers, including former Madras High Court judge Justice Sivagnanam.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu pilgrims and other Kailash Mansarovar travelers were affected; the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed 21 Tamil Nadu nationals were rescued.
- What
- Flash floods stranded or disrupted pilgrims and tourists, while rescue and tracing operations continued.
- When
- The rescue update was issued on Thursday; an embedded report was dated August 27, 2026.
- Where
- The rescues and disruptions occurred in Nepal and near Gyirong in Tibet, China, along the Nepal-Tibet border.
- Why
- Heavy rain and sudden flash flooding damaged roads, affected buildings, and disrupted telecommunications.
Official Rescue Updates
Families and Untraced Travelers
Number rescued
Official Rescue Updates
The Ministry of External Affairs said 21 people from Tamil Nadu had been rescued and released a name list.
Families and Untraced Travelers
Tamil Nadu’s information minister had earlier reported that 20 people were rescued, while families continued seeking updates about others.
Overall situation
Official Rescue Updates
Sadhguru reported that 495 travelers had returned safely, with others distributed across Tibet, Nepal, an immigration center, and Timure.
Families and Untraced Travelers
Relatives and tour operators said contact had been lost with some travelers, including 49 spiritual tourists and an Isha Foundation group of 80 people.
Relief progress
Official Rescue Updates
Tamil Nadu officials were sent to coordinate rescue, relief, and the safe return of survivors.
Families and Untraced Travelers
Families remained concerned because damaged roads and broken telecommunications made it unclear when some people could be evacuated or located.
- Rescued
- 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu, according to the Ministry of External Affairs
- Pilgrimage
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
- Flood site
- Gyirong immigration center in Tibet, China
- Travelers returned safely
- 495 people, according to Sadhguru
- Travelers in Tibet
- 743 people, according to Sadhguru
- Travelers in Nepal
- 148 people, according to Sadhguru
- People at affected locations
- 77 pilgrims were at the immigration center and 3 volunteers were in Timure, Nepal
- Tamil Nadu and Puducherry group
- Tamil Nadu’s information minister said 103 people from Tamil Nadu and 3 from Puducherry were stranded in Nepal; an earlier figure said 20 had been rescued
