Nepal flash floods leave Mount Kailash pilgrims missing

A suspected glacier collapse in the mountains above the Rasuwa district on the Nepal-Tibet border has triggered violent flash floods, leaving numerous pilgrims missing. The disaster was so intense that seismic monitors briefly registered the event as an earthquake.

Many of the missing individuals were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a site revered by Hindus and Buddhists. Families, particularly within the Indian-American diaspora in the United States, are facing an agonizing wait for news regarding their loved ones. Among those missing are Rekha and Rashi Shashidharan, whose husband and father, Shashidharan Sreedharan, has been desperately seeking information since their last contact on August 26. Other affected families include US citizens Ramesh and Neelam Sharma.

Spiritual leader Swami Avdheshanand Giri and Indian-American diaspora leader Prem Bhandari have joined families in calling for urgent rescue and relief operations to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis.