Nepal floods: 37 NRIs among nearly 400 Kailash pilgrims reported missing

Nearly 400 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims are reported missing after devastating flash floods in Nepal, killing 19 people and disrupting travel routes. Thirty-seven of the missing are Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), along with 105 Indian nationals. The remaining 384 missing travelers are a mix of foreign nationals and Nepalis. The floods hit the Rasuwa district on Wednesday, when the Bhote Koshi River surged, cutting off communications and roads.

Many pilgrims were traveling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred journey in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, which involves circumambulating Mount Kailash and visiting Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. The floods have severely impacted the region, destroying roads and damaging infrastructure, leaving some areas inaccessible. Rescue efforts include 14 helicopters and multiple security forces, but contact has been difficult due to disrupted communications.

The exact cause of the flood is under investigation, with possible triggers including a landslide blocking a river or a rock-ice avalanche.