Kailash Sojourn: Isha Foundation fears worst for 80 participants caught in Gyirong Port flood

Bengaluru, Aug 30 (IANS) The Isha Foundation on Saturday expressed fears for the safety of 80 participants of its Kailash Sojourn group who were at Gyirong Port when a devastating flood struck the area, saying the extent of destruction and information gathered from people on the ground had led teams to “expect the worst”.

In an update shared with the well-wishers and families of the participants, Isha Foundation said search and rescue operations were being carried out by Chinese authorities at Gyirong Port, where personnel and equipment had been deployed.

The rescue efforts were temporarily suspended on August 28 due to the risk of a second flood and resumed by noon local time, the organisation said.

“We wish with all our hearts that we could offer you something more hopeful. Everything our teams have seen, and everything those closest to the site have shared with us, has led us to expect the worst,” the statement said.

According to Isha Foundation, its teams have been positioned on both sides of the Nepal–China border at the closest locations permitted. Its team on the Chinese side is around 25 km from the Gyirong site and is in direct contact with frontline rescue teams and officials.

A coordination team on the Nepal side is stationed in Kathmandu as access to the affected area has been restricted. The organisation said the devastation on the Nepal side was extensive, with roads washed away and movement severely restricted.

The Isha team said it had been coordinating with the Office of the Prime Minister of India, Indian embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing, the Nepali Army’s search and rescue team, Nepal Tourist Police and the Rescue Control Board.

It said information about the missing group had been provided to frontline rescue teams, while additional phone-signal information was also being shared to assist in the search. The organisation was also monitoring lists of rescued people and cross-checking them with the names of its participants.

“So far, there has been no released list of rescued individuals from the Chinese port that includes members of our group,” it said. Lists released by the Nepal government identifying survivors from affected downstream areas had also not contained the names of any members of the group, according to the statement.

The organisation said information gathered from local sources indicated that the valley at Gyirong Port was covered by an estimated 45–50 feet of silt and debris following the flood.

Local experts familiar with the terrain reportedly told the organisation’s on-ground team that it was highly unlikely anyone could have survived the force of the flooding.

The statement further said the floodwaters, mixed with debris, may have risen as high as 150 feet with immense force, “completely wiping out the whole building complex”.

Isha Foundation said it had corroborated visuals of the destruction with multiple local sources and people who had direct knowledge of the situation. However, it stressed that access to the affected area remained restricted and that it could not independently verify every detail.

“Everything in this update reflects our best understanding as of now, drawn from the authorities, published reporting, and people on the ground,” it said.

The organisation said the calamity had deeply affected its community and expressed solidarity with the families of the 80 participants and others affected by the disaster.

“Sadhguru and the whole Isha community are with you,” the statement said, adding that it would share further updates as more information became available.

–IANS

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