Sadhguru says 77 Isha pilgrims missing after flood strikes during return from Kailash

At least 77 pilgrims from Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation remain unaccounted for after a devastating flash flood struck the Gyirong area of Tibet while a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage group was at an immigration centre on its return journey, Sadhguru said in a post on X.

The group had stopped at the immigration office while travelling back from Kailash Mansarovar when the flood swept through the area. Sadhguru said the building and much of the surrounding town appeared to have been inundated, and there had been no official information about the whereabouts of those who were at the centre.

Sadhguru says rescue efforts underway

Sadhguru said volunteers and support teams were working with authorities to reach the affected location and assist with rescue efforts. He added that his teams were prepared to participate in the operation despite the risks involved.


“A terrible and tragic flash flood has taken place at Gyirong in Tibet - China, and one of our Kailash groups was caught in it. While on their way back, they were at the immigration office when the flood occurred and the building and much of the town seems to have been flooded,” he wrote.


He said the lack of information about the people at the immigration centre had caused deep concern among volunteers and support teams.

“There has been no official information on the whereabouts of any of the people who were at the immigration office. 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,” Sadhguru said.

Isha Foundation gives breakdown of pilgrims

Sadhguru also provided a status update on the 21 groups participating in the pilgrimage.

According to his post, 495 people had already returned safely. Another 743 people were in Tibet, while 148 were in Nepal. In addition, 77 people were at the immigration centre and three volunteers were in Timure, Nepal.

He said he was personally in the region to oversee the situation and ensure that the best possible assistance could be provided.

“To the families and loved ones of those in our group and hundreds of others who are affected in the region, I share your pain and we are sparing no effort during this profoundly difficult time,” he wrote.

Flash floods hit Nepal-Tibet border region

The flash flood also caused widespread destruction in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, which borders Tibet. Reports said 95 people had died in the disaster, while villages, bridges and houses were swept away.

Visuals from the affected area showed a powerful surge near the Gyirong Port region in Tibet. The floodwaters struck the immigration office before moving into Rasuwa and causing destruction along the Bhote Kosi River.

Rescue and relief operations were underway as authorities assessed the damage and continued efforts to locate missing people across the affected border region.