Nepal-Tibet floods: 37 Tamil Nadu pilgrims unaccounted for; 77 Isha group members stranded

Between 37 and nearly 50 Tamil Nadu pilgrims remain unaccounted for following a flash flood that struck the Nepal-Tibet border area, hampering efforts to confirm their safety. The flood burst from Tibetan territory into the Bhotekoshi River on Wednesday morning, impacting Nepal's Rasuwa region. Initially, 77 Indian pilgrims, including 37 from Tamil Nadu, were reported missing.

By Wednesday evening, the number of missing Tamil Nadu visitors had shrunk to between 37 and 50. Tour coordinator Thennarasu informed authorities that four Tamil Nadu groups, including 106 people, were affected. Fifty-seven travelers left from Kumbakonam on August 23, while 49 originated in Chennai. Two groups were confirmed safe, leaving the whereabouts of the remaining two unknown.

The Isha Foundation, organizer of the pilgrimage, stated that one of its groups was stranded at the immigration office in Gyirong, where the building and town were flooded. Of the 77 unaccounted for, the foundation's spokesperson confirmed that none were Indian.