New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): A group of 77 pilgrims travelling with the Isha Foundation remains unaccounted for after devastating flash floods struck areas near the Nepal-China border, leaving hundreds dead and triggering large-scale search and rescue operations.
The group was part of a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage organised by the Isha Foundation, founded by spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru. According to information shared by Sadhguru, the pilgrims lost contact after floods hit Gyirong Township in Tibet while they were returning towards Nepal.
The disaster struck on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction on both sides of the border. At least 359 deaths have been reported in Nepal and three in Tibet, while a large number of people remain missing.
What Happened To The 77 Isha Foundation Pilgrims?
According to Sadhguru, one of the Foundation’s Kailash pilgrimage groups was at the immigration office in Gyirong when the flash flood struck.
The flood reportedly inundated the immigration facility and surrounding parts of the town, cutting off communication with those present there. Three Isha Foundation volunteers were also reported to be stranded in Timure on the Nepal side of the border.
Sadhguru said there was no official confirmation regarding the whereabouts of the people who were at the immigration centre. He added that the entire staff of the facility was also reported to be out of contact.
The group comprises pilgrims of several nationalities. It includes 22 people from the United States, 12 from Canada, 11 from Australia, nine from the United Kingdom and four from Germany, besides pilgrims from France, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain and several other countries.
Sadhguru Says Isha Foundation Ready To Join Rescue Efforts
Sadhguru said the organisation was coordinating with authorities and was prepared to assist in rescue operations.
“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 wrote in a social media post.
He said he was personally in the region as efforts continued to establish contact with those affected.
According to figures shared by Sadhguru, 21 groups were part of the pilgrimage programme. Of them, 495 people had returned safely, while 743 were in Tibet and another 148 were in Nepal.
Nepal Tourism Board officials, however, reportedly said they did not have information confirming the situation involving the 77-member group and were attempting to verify the details.
Nepal-Tibet Flash Floods Leave Hundreds Dead
The flash floods have caused extensive damage across the Nepal-Tibet border region, sweeping through settlements and damaging roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The disaster has also left hundreds of people unaccounted for, prompting authorities to deploy rescue teams across affected areas.
With communication and access disrupted in several locations, the status of the 77 Isha Foundation pilgrims remains unclear. Authorities and representatives of the Foundation are continuing efforts to establish contact with the group.
