Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said 77 members of his Kailash pilgrimage group are missing after flash floods struck near the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday.
The incident highlights the extreme volatility of the Himalayan region during heavy rains, where sudden floods can isolate remote border crossings and endanger large groups of travelers.
The flash flood occurred at an immigration center in Gyirong, Tibet [1], located near the Rasuwa district of Nepal [2]. The group was staying at the center when heavy rains triggered the sudden inundation [1].
Sadhguru said the event was "terrible and tragic" [1]. He said there is currently "no information of whereabouts" regarding the missing individuals [2]. According to reports, 77 Isha Foundation pilgrims are missing [3].
Broader search and rescue operations are ongoing in the affected area. While the pilgrimage group accounts for a significant portion of the missing, some reports indicate that a total of 133 people remain missing across the flood-affected zone [4].
Rescue teams are working to locate the survivors in the difficult terrain of the border region. The immigration center serves as a critical transit point for those traveling between Nepal and Tibet for the Kailash Yatra pilgrimage.
Sadhguru said the group was caught in the floods while at the immigration center [3]. Efforts to establish communication with the missing pilgrims continue as authorities manage the disaster site.
“"Terrible and tragic"”
The disappearance of dozens of pilgrims at a strategic border crossing underscores the logistical risks of high-altitude travel during the monsoon season. Because the incident occurred at a government immigration center, the rescue effort requires coordination between Nepalese and Tibetan authorities, which can complicate the speed of emergency responses in remote mountain corridors.
