‘No information of whereabouts’: Kailash group caught in Nepal flood, fate of 77 pilgrims unknown, says Sadhguru
At least 77 people from one of Sadhguru’s Kailash pilgrimage groups remains unknown after a devastating flash flood hit Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border on Wednesday.Sadhguru said the group was returning from the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and was at the immigration office when the flash flood occurred. The building and much of the surrounding town appeared to have been flooded, he said.In a post on X, Sadhguru said, “A terrible and tragic flash flood has taken place at Gyirong in Tibet-China, and one of our Kailash groups was caught in it. While on their way back, they were at the immigration office when the flood occurred and the building and much of the town seems to have been flooded.”“All of us, including the volunteers and support teams are deeply anguished and are doing our utmost to assist in the rescue. There has been no official information on the whereabouts of any of the people who were at the immigration office. We are working with the authorities to see if we can get to the location and stand ready to be part of the rescue efforts, regardless of the risk involved,” he added.Sadhguru said 495 people from 21 groups had already returned safely, while 743 remained in Tibet, 148 were in Nepal, 77 were at the immigration centre and three volunteers were in Timure, Nepal.“To the families and loved ones of those in our group and hundreds of others who are affected in the region, I share your pain and we are sparing no effort during this profoundly difficult time. I am personally in the region to ensure the best can be done in the given circumstances – Sg,” he said.The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, were reported missing following the flash floods in Rasuwa.Among the foreign nationals were 105 Indian tourists and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs). Others included travellers from the US, Malaysia, the UK, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands, while the nationalities of some travellers were yet to be confirmed.At least 59 of the missing Indians were pilgrims travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, according to Samrat Tours and Travel.The death toll from the flash floods in Nepal has risen to 95, officials said. The floods swept through areas along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, affecting Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other districts.The flooding began around 9 am local time after a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi river from the Tibet side. Officials are investigating whether the disaster was triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or another event.The floods caused extensive damage to settlements, roads, bridges, security posts and hydropower projects. Search-and-rescue operations involving the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police are continuing.The flash floods in Nepal also prompted authorities in Bihar to issue a high alert over a possible rise in the Gandak river.The Bihar government opened all 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar as a precautionary measure. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said around 86,000 cusecs of water was discharged from the barrage around noon, with the flow expected to rise further.“The WRD has taken immediate precautionary measures. All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar have been opened, and a technical team led by a Superintending Engineer has been deployed at the barrage. Warnings have also been issued to all districts in the Gandak river basin”, Choudhary said, according to PTI.Authorities have placed West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali, along with vulnerable districts such as Sitamarhi and Sheohar, under heightened surveillance.An NDRF team will be sent to Gopalganj, another will remain on standby in Muzaffarpur, and arrangements are being made to deploy a team in Bettiah. District administrations have been asked to keep evacuation plans, boats, shelters and community kitchens ready.
