At least 77 pilgrims from the Isha Foundation's Kailash group are missing following a flash flood on Wednesday [1].
The incident highlights the extreme risks associated with high-altitude pilgrimages during the monsoon season, where sudden weather shifts can trigger lethal landslides and floods.
Sadhguru, the founder of the Isha Foundation, said the group was located at the Tibet immigration centre in Gyirong when the flash flood struck [4]. The disaster occurred in the border region between Nepal and Tibet, an area frequently used by pilgrims traveling to Mount Kailash.
Reports regarding the exact location of the flooding vary. Some sources state that a massive flash flood swept through parts of central Nepal [1]. Other reports indicate the floods specifically hit Gyirong, Tibet, affecting the pilgrimage group [2].
Sadhguru said he is ready to join rescue operations to locate the missing individuals [3]. The foundation has not yet provided a detailed breakdown of the missing persons' nationalities, or ages.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in the difficult terrain of the Nepal-Tibet border. The region is known for its steep valleys and rapid river swells, which often complicate recovery missions during the rainy season [2].
Local authorities have not yet released an official death toll, though the number of missing persons remains at 77 [1]. The Isha Foundation continues to monitor the situation as rescue teams navigate the flood-affected zones [3].
“At least 77 pilgrims from the Isha Foundation's Kailash group are missing”
The disappearance of dozens of pilgrims in the Gyirong region underscores the vulnerability of seasonal travel corridors in the Himalayas. Because the border area between Nepal and Tibet is subject to strict immigration controls and volatile geography, rescue operations often face significant logistical delays, increasing the risk to those trapped by natural disasters.
