Over 100 Indian Pilgrims Missing Following Devastating Nepal Floods

KATHMANDU — A desperate search and rescue operation is underway in Nepal as officials scramble to locate hundreds of tourists missing in the wake of catastrophic flooding. Among the most vulnerable are at least 100 Indian nationals, many of whom were undertaking a sacred journey to one of the most revered sites in the Himalayas.

The missing pilgrims were primarily traveling to or from Mount Kailash, a towering Himalayan peak situated near the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. For millions, the mountain is the focal point of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a profound Hindu pilgrimage believed to be the spiritual abode of Lord Shiva. After years of disruption caused by the global pandemic and strained diplomatic relations between India and China, the route had only recently reopened to travelers.

The tragedy has left families and religious leaders in a state of profound anxiety. The prominent Indian spiritual leader and entrepreneur, Sadhguru, took to social media to report that 77 individuals on tours organized by his Isha Foundation were caught in the path of the disaster while waiting at an immigration center near the Nepal-Tibet border.

Sadhguru shared harrowing surveillance footage—verified by news outlets—depicting the moment floodwaters surged into the border crossing, sweeping away travelers as they attempted to flee the rising tide. “There has been no official information on the whereabouts of any of the people who were at the immigration office,” Sadhguru stated on X. “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.”

The crisis extends beyond the Isha Foundation tours. At least 50 other pilgrims were reportedly part of a separate tour organized by an agency based in the South Indian city of Kumbakonam.

Friends and relatives of the group’s leader, Syed Umar Farooq, report a complete blackout in communications. R. Daniel Ajit, a close friend of Mr. Farooq, expressed the growing desperation of the families involved: “We can’t reach them, and their vehicles have not been found.”

Mohammad Hussain, a cousin of the tour operator, noted that he had spoken with Mr. Farooq the night before the incident. At that time, the group had planned their transit toward the border as part of their trek to Mount Kailash. While the families of those in Mr. Farooq’s party remain without word, there was a glimmer of hope as another group of 20 Indian pilgrims in the region managed to make contact, confirming their safety.

As authorities continue to assess the deadly Nepal floods, the focus remains on reaching the remote border regions, where treacherous conditions have hampered rescue efforts. For the families waiting in India, the uncertainty continues as they hold out hope for news of their loved ones.