Nepal flash floods: U.P. focuses on river monitoring, activates rescue teams

A catastrophic flash flood in a border region between China and Nepal has left about 90 U.S. citizens unaccounted for, according to U.S. officials. The floods, which killed hundreds of people, struck the area on Thursday, a day after the disaster. While U.S. officials have not confirmed any U.S. deaths, three Americans have been rescued.

Many of the missing were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a sacred site for Hindus, Buddhists, and others. Among them was Venus Rajnikant Patel, a 45-year-old Indian-born U.S. citizen who recently relocated from St. Louis to Cincinnati to assist his family. Patel's friend, Jolene Gosha, expressed hope that Patel managed to escape the floods and was devastated upon realizing he was staying at a hotel along the border.

Among the 77 people returning from Mount Kailash with groups organized by the Isha Foundation, 22 were Americans, according to the Isha Foundation. These individuals were at an immigration center in Gyirong, Tibet, when the floods hit. Indian spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Sadhguru, confirmed the incident on X, noting that 22 Americans were among the 77 people affected.

President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, stated that U.S. officials have discussed with Nepalese leaders and offered assistance. He initially reported around 50 to 60 Americans in the area but acknowledged that a comprehensive count had not been finalized.