Video summary
A devastating flash flood has struck the border region between Tibet and Nepal, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life and widespread destruction. While Indian news reports indicate that approximately 484 people are missing on the Nepali side, there is currently no official confirmation regarding casualties on the other side due to a complete communication blackout. The disaster was so severe that entire buildings, including one used for immigration procedures just a week prior, were washed away, and significant portions of towns have been carved out of the valley by the surging waters. Authorities are still unable to verify the full extent of the tragedy because all telecommunication networks are down and roads remain blocked, preventing rescue teams from reaching the affected areas immediately.
The human toll is particularly heartbreaking given the specific group that was present in the area when the disaster struck. This team consisted of 80 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including citizens from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and many other nations, alongside local Nepali guides and volunteers. Among them was a long-time associate named Ishanga Pravin, who had been with the group for over two decades. Tragic signs emerged shortly after the event when his Nepal phone failed to activate upon crossing the border, suggesting that he and the entire group were likely inside the building at the exact moment the flood occurred. The speaker expressed profound pain and regret over this extraordinary event, noting that while the confirmed number from India is 484, the total death toll could potentially exceed 1,500 when including local guides whose families are also affected.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, which reportedly began around 9:14 AM following a message received at 9:05 AM, efforts have been made to inform embassies in both India and Nepal as well as families of the missing persons. There is some confusion regarding the cause of the flood, with some reports suggesting it was triggered by a 4.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred about half an hour before the water surge, though this has been denied by others due to the lack of reliable information. The situation remains chaotic, with nearly 12 hours having passed since the initial contact and rescue operations still hindered by the inability to travel or communicate effectively.
Despite the overwhelming obstacles, the speaker is actively seeking permission from the Indian, Chinese, and American embassies to lead a team into the disaster zone to assess the damage and assist in rescue efforts. The goal is to reach the area by tomorrow morning to provide aid and gather more accurate information about the missing individuals. Until then, messages continue to be sent to families of those who have gone missing, offering support while waiting for clearer signs from the ground. The speaker emphasizes that everything possible is being done to navigate the crisis, but the current lack of official data leaves many in a state of uncertainty and deep sorrow as they await further developments in this terrible situation.
Read the full video transcript
With a
profound sense of uh
pain and regret,
I wish to bring to your notice that uh
there has been a terrible
>> [laughter]
>> a flash flood
uh between Tibet and Nepal border.
And on the Nepali side, as per the
Indian news reports,
about 400 484 people have gone missing.
And on this side,
>> [clears throat]
>> we don't have any official information.
Uh morning I left to go there
personally, and uh all phones are off,
all telecommunications are down, roads
are blocked, we are unable to go there.
>> [clears throat]
>> One of our groups,
>> [laughter]
[clears throat]
>> the ST group that we met at uh Saga,
and also met them that when we were
trekking up, they were coming down.
>> [laughter]
>> Of which uh
22 are from United States,
12 from Canada.
>> [laughter]
>> 11 from Australia,
9 from United Kingdom, 4 from Germany,
3 from France, 3 from Nepal,
2 from Netherlands, 2 from New Zealand,
>> [clears throat]
>> 2 from Singapore,
2 from Spain,
one each from Finland, Hungary, Israel,
Lithuania, Philippines,
Portugal, Russia, and South Africa. A
total of 80.
Uh and also
this includes uh 34 male and 46 female
participants.
And a few other volunteers who are
camped
in the nearby hotels.
Uh three volunteers and one doctor.
Uh I think the replacement doctor who
came in just day before yesterday from
the ashram.
Uh
>> [clears throat]
>> but we have no
any kind of uh
official confirmation of any kind.
But uh
looking at the scale of destruction,
it looks uh bad.
The same building where we were for the
immigration just a week ago,
that entire building is washed away.
And part of the town is washed away.
We still don't know the other numbers.
All communication is down, so we have
no way.
Within the hour, we informed all the
embassies of these countries
both in India and Nepal.
And we've been active in this, but uh
there is really nothing much.
At 9:05, we received a message from the
group leader
who is uh Ishanga Pravin, who's been
with us.
At
At 9:05, he sent a message that they
have arrived at the immigration.
>> [laughter]
>> So, after that, this happened at
9:14.
>> [laughter]
>> And
Pravin
who was leading the team
>> [laughter]
>> who's been with us for more than two
decades,
a full-time Ishanga with us.
And uh
we noticed that
his
Nepal phone did not come active through
the
>> [laughter]
[cough and clears throat]
>> If he had crossed over,
his Nepal phone should have come active.
It did not come.
>> [laughter]
[snorts]
>> So, literally the entire group was there
in the building.
>> [laughter]
[laughter]
>> So, uh
This is a
uh terrible and an extraordinary event
which unfortunately has turned out this
way.
Well, we don't have any numbers as such.
But, the overall numbers could be
anywhere around 1,500 plus.
Uh and many of the Nepali
uh guides were with us. Their families
were there.
How many of them we do not know yet.
Uh but, on that side is 484. That's what
they're saying.
This side, there's absolutely no
information.
But, uh that town where we entered,
almost half the town is carved out of
the valley.
>> [clears throat]
>> Um it is said that
>> [snorts]
>> some
uh lake a river lake
burst open.
Some people in Nepal, some news channels
are saying there was a 4.9
Richter
uh earthquake about half an hour before.
Other people are denying that.
We don't know. There's no proper
information.
And
we should have been there the same time
tomorrow morning.
So, uh
here we are.
>> [clears throat]
>> So, we're doing everything possible.
We're still looking if we can
We are seeking permission through the
Indian Embassy
uh and the Chinese Embassy in India and
American Embassy is working on this to
see if they can permit me and a group of
people to be there and see what we can
do.
After
a long wait
it's already been
nearly
uh 9:00, let's say. It's already nearly
12 hours.
So, about half an hour ago we've sent
messages to all the families.