New Delhi, August 27: Spiritual leader and founder of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophic floods that struck the border of Tibet and Nepal. He described the situation as extremely serious, noting that the extent of the devastation makes it difficult to ascertain the exact damage. A group of 80 individuals from his organization, who were on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, has been caught in the flood.
Sadhguru shared a video on the social media platform ‘X’, stating that he is attempting to reach the disaster site. However, all phone and telecommunication services are down, and roads are blocked, making communication with the affected area exceedingly challenging. He is working to secure permission to access the site through the Indian, Chinese, and American embassies to assist in relief and rescue efforts.
He revealed, “Our group included 80 people, comprising 34 men and 46 women. Among them, 22 are from the USA, 12 from Canada, 11 from Australia, 9 from the UK, 4 from Germany, 3 from France, 3 from Nepal, 2 from the Netherlands, 2 from New Zealand, 2 from Singapore, and 2 from Spain. Individuals from Finland, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, and South Africa were also part of the group.”
Sadhguru mentioned that everything was normal when the group reached the immigration center. At around 9:05 AM on Wednesday, the group leader sent a message confirming their arrival. Just minutes later, at approximately 9:14 AM, the devastating disaster struck, severing contact with group members. He noted that their Nepalese phone numbers are also inactive, heightening concerns. According to news reports, 77 pilgrims and three volunteers associated with the Isha Foundation are reported missing.
He stated that buildings and parts of the town where the incident occurred have been swept away by water and debris. Therefore, it is currently challenging to determine how many people are safe and how many are missing.
Additionally, he indicated that a volunteer and a doctor were part of the group, along with several Nepali guides, whose families reside in the affected area. This raises concerns not only for the pilgrims but also for the safety of local families.
Sadhguru reported that various accounts suggest hundreds of people are missing on the Nepal side, with a significant number also unaccounted for in Tibet. Recent international reports indicate that hundreds remain missing across Nepal and the Tibetan region of China, with the death toll exceeding 160.
Initial reports suggested an earthquake preceded the floods. However, subsequent scientific analyses indicated that the disaster may have been caused by a significant shift of ice and rock in the Himalayan region or a glacier-related event. This led to a sudden influx of water and debris into the river, resulting in a rapid flash flood.
The water’s speed was so intense that roads, bridges, homes, and other structures were swept away. The situation remains challenging for rescue teams, as many areas are inaccessible due to damaged roads and rising water levels.
Sadhguru emphasized that the greatest concern during this difficult time is for the families of the missing individuals. He noted that the embassies of the relevant countries have been informed about the incident, and efforts are underway to communicate with affected families.
He stated that he and his team are doing everything possible to assist. He stressed that the most crucial task now is to establish access to the affected area and ascertain the condition of those present.
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