Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said 77 pilgrims from one of his Kailash pilgrimage groups were at an immigration centre in Gyirong, Tibet, when a major flash flood hit the town on Wednesday.
The pilgrims were returning from the Kailash pilgrimage and had stopped at the immigration office when floodwaters entered the building and surrounding areas. At the time, there was no official information about their safety or whereabouts.
Sadhguru said 495 pilgrims from the 21 groups had already returned safely, while 743 were still in Tibet, 148 were in Nepal, and 77 were at the immigration centre. Three volunteers were in Timure, Nepal.
The disaster also badly affected Nepal's Rasuwa district, where severe flooding and landslides killed 95 people and destroyed villages and infrastructure. Authorities reported that hundreds of people were out of contact and warned residents near the Bhote Koshi river to move to safer areas.
On the Chinese side, the Gyirong Port area was hit by a mudslide, cutting roads, communication and power supplies. Rescue teams were deployed, while Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to make every effort to find missing people.
In Nepal, police, the military and rescue teams were sent to the affected areas. Officials warned that the full extent of casualties and damage was still being assessed.
Sadhguru said his volunteers were working with authorities and were ready to help with rescue operations despite the risks. He also expressed sympathy for the families of those affected.
