Sikkim pilgrims undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra have been reported safe after being stranded in Tibet following a flash flood in the region. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said on Friday that all eight residents from East Sikkim had been contacted and their safety confirmed. Their movement, however, remains affected by the flood situation in the Himalayan region.
The eight pilgrims had crossed the Nepal-China border on August 25 and were in Saga County on the Tibet side when a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or flash flood struck on August 26. The disaster disrupted movement in the area and raised concerns over the safety of travellers undertaking the pilgrimage.
Sikkim pilgrims confirmed safe in Saga County
According to the SSDMA, the eight Sikkim pilgrims are currently in Saga County and have been confirmed safe. The authority said the group was contacted after reports emerged that movement had been disrupted because of the flooding.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also spoke to all eight pilgrims by telephone on August 27 to enquire about their safety and well-being. The communication provided reassurance to the state government and families following the disruption caused by the disaster.
The pilgrims are residents of East Sikkim and were travelling as part of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, one of the most significant high-altitude pilgrimages in the Himalayan region.
Flash floods disrupt movement across border region
The flash flood struck amid a wider disaster affecting areas around the Nepal-Tibet border. Floodwaters and debris damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure, leaving several locations difficult to access and disrupting communication and travel routes.
The disaster has also affected the broader Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage network. Several Indian pilgrims travelling through routes in Nepal were reported out of contact after the floods damaged infrastructure and communication links. Authorities have been working to establish the whereabouts and safety of travellers affected by the disaster.
The situation has highlighted the vulnerability of pilgrimage routes in the high Himalayas, where sudden floods, landslides and glacial events can rapidly disrupt transportation and communication.
State forms task force for assistance
Following the incident, the Sikkim government constituted a dedicated task force to coordinate, monitor and facilitate assistance to residents of the state who may have been affected or stranded because of the flash floods.
The task force is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and maintaining contact with affected residents and their families. This coordination is aimed at ensuring that information about stranded travellers reaches their relatives and that assistance can be provided wherever required.
The move is particularly important because communication difficulties in remote Himalayan areas can make it challenging for families to immediately establish contact with people travelling in affected regions.
Helpline opened for families
The SSDMA has also established a 24-hour helpline through the State Emergency Operations Centre. Families seeking information or assistance regarding residents affected by the situation can contact the helpline.
The numbers provided by the authority are 03592-201145, 03592-202461 and 03592-2025256. The helpline is intended to support information sharing and coordination during the ongoing emergency.
For the families of the eight Sikkim pilgrims, confirmation that the group is safe has provided relief even as authorities continue monitoring conditions and movement restrictions in the affected area.
Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra faces renewed disruption
The incident comes during the 2026 Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage season, which has seen pilgrims travel through established routes from India into the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Sikkim has been an important gateway for the official pilgrimage through Nathu La. The first batch of the 2026 Yatra crossed into Tibet through Nathu La on June 20, with the group travelling onward towards Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. The Sikkim government had earlier said the route was being supported by officials, medical personnel and security agencies.
The latest flooding has underscored the importance of continuous weather and disaster monitoring for pilgrims travelling through remote and high-altitude areas. While the eight Sikkim pilgrims are safe, the disruption demonstrates how quickly natural hazards can affect movement across the Himalayan borderlands.
With the state task force coordinating with central authorities and continuing to monitor the situation, officials are expected to remain focused on the safety and welfare of Sikkim residents affected by the floods. For now, the confirmation that all eight pilgrims are safe offers reassurance to their families as authorities track developments in the flood-hit region.
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