Chai Break, 10-Minute Delay: How Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Had A Narrow Escape From Nepal Flood Fury

As Nepal continues to battle destruction following massive floods along the Tibetan border, 28 pilgrims from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh returned to their respective hometowns on Saturday after surviving what felt like an eternity.

Pemmasani Venkataramana, Tirupati-based Sign In Travels managing director, was part of the 28-member group undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. He shared how a brief tea break and a 10-minute delay saved their lives, according to the Times of India. 

“We were supposed to reach Syabrubesi, along the Nepal-Tibet border, early. But a tea break and a 10-minute delay saved the lives of all 28 of us. Our driver responded swiftly to the calamity, took a detour and moved us to safety,” Venkataramana said.

Another pilgrim, Krishnaiah Muthyala of Visakhapatnam, shared how the group of pilgrims was saved by a three-day delay in obtaining visas.

“Our group (28 pilgrims from AP, Telangana and Karnataka) was scheduled to visit Mansarovar. The three-day delay in getting our visas also delayed our overall journey. Otherwise, we would have been on the Syabrubesi bridge when it was washed away in the floods. All of us could have lost our lives,” Krishnaiah said, the Times of India reported.

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Death Toll Crosses 700

The death toll from the devastating floods in Nepal along the Tibetan border has surged to 734, with around 1,500 still missing, according to the Nepalese Government.

The floods were triggered by a glacial collapse in the Himalayas, leading to the formation of lakes along the valley that tore through several villages along the Nepal-Tibet border.

The flooding damaged several houses and settlements along the border, causing widespread destruction in the region. Key hydro projects and solar plants alonIndiag the Trishuli River in the Nuwakot District also suffered extensive damage, according to ANI. 

An 11-member team from India landed in Kathmandu on Saturday, August 29, to assist the ongoing search-and-rescue missions.

On Sunday, New Delhi dispatched a fourth relief flight to Kathmandu carrying essential humanitarian supplies. Announcing the development on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the aircraft had successfully landed in the Nepalese capital with essential supplies.

The fourth Indian flight has touched down in Kathmandu.

It brings essential supplies and technical capabilities to support Nepal’s ongoing rescue & relief operations.

🇮🇳🇳🇵 pic.twitter.com/LYWF5c719k

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 30, 2026

“The fourth Indian flight has touched down in Kathmandu. It brings essential supplies and technical capabilities to support Nepal’s ongoing rescue & relief operations”, EAM Jaishankar wrote.