A severe flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal today, severely affecting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. As a result, approximately 384 pilgrims, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis, have been reported missing or out of contact in the Rasuwagadhi border area. These individuals were on their way to Tibet when the flood occurred.

The flooding transpired between 8:30 am and 9:15 am, leading to the collapse of the Nepal-China Miteri Bridge and disrupting roads and communications along this vital pilgrimage route. Tour operators based in Kathmandu have suspended all departures for the next 48-72 hours to ensure the safety of the remaining travellers.

As the situation continues to evolve, there has been no formal directive from either the Government of Nepal or the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to cancel the Yatra. However, the current conditions have posed significant challenges for those attempting to complete the pilgrimage.

Road and Communication Disruptions

The flood has extensively damaged infrastructure along the pilgrimage route, including the Miteri Bridge which linked Nepal to China. Multiple bridges over the Trishuli River have been swept away, while the Prithvi Highway, connecting Chitwan and Pokhara, has also faced blockages, further complicating travel. Communications in Rasuwa are severely disrupted, with both mobile and fibre networks down.

Officials have noted that nearly 384 pilgrims who were scheduled to cross into Tibet today are currently unreachable due to the collapse of communication networks in the border region. This includes more than 105 Indian pilgrims who were at the border waiting to proceed. Verification efforts are ongoing, involving the Tourist Police and other governmental and security agencies.

The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has reached out to Nepal’s Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy, requesting the opening of alternative crossing points such as Tatopani, Korola, and Hilsa. This measure aims to facilitate the movement of pilgrims and expedite visa clearances.

Future of the Yatra and Pilgrim Safety

Despite the challenges posed by this flash flood, the official MEA-organised Yatra via Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim is proceeding as planned. Scheduled to run until August 2026, this route does not traverse through Nepal, thereby remaining unaffected by the recent calamity.

This year, Nepal was expecting to welcome around 25,000 Indian pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, following the resumption of the pilgrimage after a five-year hiatus. However, the private operator routes that generally pass through Nepal are currently halted due to safety concerns.

While officials have confirmed there are no reported injuries among the missing pilgrims, families of those affected have been urged to reach out to the Indian Embassy helpline in Kathmandu or the Nepal Tourism Board control room for further assistance and information regarding their loved ones.

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