Nepal Floods: 80 Isha Pilgrims Missing Near Tibet Border

Severe flooding near the Nepal Tibet border has raised concern over the safety of a group of 80 pilgrims associated with the Isha Foundation. The group had been returning from the Kailash pilgrimage when communication with them was lost, leaving their families and fellow travellers deeply worried.

The pilgrims had reportedly reached the Gyirong immigration centre after completing their Kailash journey. According to information shared by Sadhguru Jagadish Vasudev, the group leader, known as Ishang Praveen, contacted the Isha Foundation at around 9.05 am. Only nine minutes later, at approximately 9.14 am, floodwaters struck the area with great force.

The immigration centre was subsequently swept away by the floodwaters. Since then, no fresh communication has been received from the group, according to the information provided by Sadhguru. Praveen’s Nepal phone number was also reportedly inactive, adding to concerns about what may have happened after the sudden flooding.

The incident has caused considerable distress at the Isha camp in Tibet. Sadhguru, who spoke about the situation with visible emotion, said he had personally been at the same building just a week earlier. Seeing the structure now destroyed by floodwaters has made the situation particularly difficult for him.

He also highlighted Praveen’s long association with the Isha Foundation, saying the group leader had worked with the organisation for more than two decades. The lack of communication for several hours has intensified uncertainty surrounding the pilgrims.

Sadhguru has expressed his intention to travel towards the affected region and assist in efforts to locate the missing members. However, the disaster has damaged roads and other routes leading into the affected areas, making immediate travel difficult.

To gain access, efforts are reportedly being made through diplomatic channels involving India, China and the United States. Sadhguru said he wants to reach the region and participate in the search and rescue operation rather than remain at a distance while the situation unfolds.

The timing of the disaster has added to the concern. The pilgrims had reportedly arrived at the immigration facility shortly before the flood struck. With the centre itself being carried away, rescuers face the difficult task of determining where the group may have been when the water surged through the area.

The Nepal Tibet border region has experienced severe destruction following the sudden flooding. Villages, roads and infrastructure have been affected, while rescue teams are working to locate people who remain missing.

The scale of the wider disaster has also raised alarm in both Nepal and India. Reports cited by authorities indicate that nearly 300 people have died in the affected areas, while around 1,500 people are still unaccounted for. Nepal’s foreign minister has said that approximately 300 Indians are among those reported missing.

The figures are part of a rapidly developing situation, and authorities continue to collect information from remote areas. Difficult terrain, damaged roads and disrupted communication networks have complicated efforts to establish the exact number of casualties and missing persons.

For the Isha Foundation, the immediate priority remains locating the 80 pilgrims. The absence of communication has left relatives waiting for any information that could clarify their whereabouts. Search operations in disaster-hit mountain regions can be particularly challenging because floodwaters often carry debris over considerable distances and destroy access routes.

The sudden nature of the incident has also left little time for people in the area to respond. The reported nine-minute gap between the group’s communication and the arrival of the floodwaters illustrates how quickly conditions changed.

Sadhguru’s comments reflected both personal anguish and concern for the people travelling with the group. His decision to seek permission to enter the affected region indicates an effort to be directly involved in the response.

Authorities and relief agencies are expected to continue assessing damaged locations as access improves. Helicopters and other emergency resources may become increasingly important in reaching areas where roads and bridges have been washed away.

The disaster has also highlighted the risks faced by travellers in the Himalayan region during extreme weather events. Pilgrimage routes can pass through remote areas where evacuation and communication facilities are limited. Sudden floods, landslides and other natural hazards can therefore turn a routine journey into an emergency within minutes.

For now, the whereabouts of the 80 Isha pilgrims remain uncertain. Families and supporters are awaiting information from rescue teams and officials working in the affected region.

As authorities expand search operations, the focus will remain on establishing the location of the missing group and determining whether survivors can be reached. Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation are also seeking every available channel of assistance to support those efforts.

The Nepal floods have already caused extensive loss of life and infrastructure damage. The disappearance of the Isha pilgrims has added another layer of anxiety to an unfolding humanitarian crisis along the mountainous Nepal Tibet border.