Nearly 400 pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet have been left out of contact after a devastating flash flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday, August 26, causing widespread destruction along the Nepal-China border. According to The Kathmandu Post, 390 pilgrims, the majority of them Indian nationals, were scheduled to cross into Tibet through the Rasuwagadhi border area. By Wednesday afternoon, travel operators had managed to contact only a few of them.
The sudden flood struck the Bhote Koshi River and surrounding areas of Rasuwa, damaging roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure and cutting off the key route towards Tibet. Several settlements were affected, while vehicles and other property were reportedly swept away by the powerful floodwaters.
The missing pilgrims were travelling through different tour operators. A preliminary list compiled by Nepal authorities includes hundreds of Indian and other foreign travellers along with Nepali citizens. Nepal Tourism Board officials have cautioned that the figures are still being verified as authorities work with travel agencies, tourist police and security forces to establish the whereabouts of those affected.
The disaster has also severely disrupted movement through Rasuwagadhi, one of the major transit points connecting Nepal with Tibet. Rescue operations are proving difficult because of damaged infrastructure and dangerous water levels. Nepalese security agencies have been mobilised for search-and-rescue operations, while authorities have urged people living near rivers to move to safer locations.
Kailash Mansarovar holds immense religious significance for Hindus and is also revered by followers of Jainism, Buddhism and the Bon tradition. Thousands of pilgrims undertake the difficult journey each year.
