Bhubaneswar: Four days after a devastating flash flood struck the Nepal-Tibet border region, Chinese rescuers reached the Gyirong immigration centre, only to find the border complex almost completely destroyed.
The centre, a key transit point for pilgrims travelling to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, was overwhelmed by a massive surge of water, mud and debris on August 25. Rescue workers reportedly found little more than ruins, with roads buried under mud and boulders and surrounding infrastructure swept away.
An 80-member group from Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation was at the immigration centre when the disaster occurred. The group included 46 women and 34 men from 19 countries. Sadhguru later described the incident as a “terrible and extraordinary event”, saying the group had arrived at the checkpoint only minutes before the flooding.
Several Indian pilgrims were also believed to be at or near the centre. Families remain anxious as rescue teams continue efforts to trace those still unaccounted for.
A 21-member Chinese rescue team reportedly reached the devastated site after navigating forests, cliffs and damaged routes with ropes and a search dog.
The floods have caused widespread destruction across the region, with hundreds reported dead and thousands missing. Authorities are also monitoring a newly formed lake over fears that another breach could trigger further flooding.
As rescue and road-clearance operations continue, the focus remains on locating survivors and reconnecting stranded pilgrims with their families.