The shadow of Nepal flood on the most difficult journey of faith of Hindus, what effect did it have on those going to Kailash Mansarovar?

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New Delhi: A severe flash flood has caused a lot of devastation in Rasuwa district of Nepal in which 400 travelers including 133 Indians are reported missing. According to the report of Kathmandu Post, about 400 pilgrims going for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been cut off after the flash flood in Rasuwagadhi.

It has also affected the main Rasuwagadhi-Kerung corridor between Nepal and China from where people go to Kailash Mansarovar. Let us tell you that on Wednesday, 390 pilgrims were scheduled to cross the border, which included 93 Nepalese and people from different countries.

These pilgrims are customers of various travel agencies. These include 71 from Samrat Tours, 55 from Leaf Holidays, 17 from Kathmandu Holidays, 31 from Kailash Journey, 92 from Trekkers Society, 62 from Himalayan Glacier and travelers from other agencies.

How much was the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra affected?   

There are three important routes to reach Kailash Mansarovar from India. One route is through Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand and the other route is through Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. Travel on both these routes is organized by the Government of India. But there is another route which is through Nepal. Here people go for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through travel agents.

Two main routes going from Nepal   

Travel from Nepal is separate from official travel of the Government of India. Here private tour operators take travelers to Tibet. Route No. 1 is the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung route which includes Kathmandu-Syafraubesi-Timure-Rasuwagadhi-Kerung-Saga-Mansarovar-Darchen-Kailash.

Rasuwa falls on Nepal side and Kerung falls on China side. Route number 2 is Hilsa-Yari route. The second major route to Kailash from Nepal is through western Nepal.

This route includes Kathmandu-Nepalganj-Simikot-Hilsa-Yari Border-Purang-Mansarovar-Darchen-Kailash. In this, first the air travel within Nepal and then reaching Hilsa by helicopter and crossing the Nepal-Tibet border. There is also a route via Lhasa.

Which route was closed due to Nepal flood?   

The flood on Bhote Koshi river has also affected the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This flood has affected the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung route. Flash floods have affected the border areas including Syafrubesi and Timur.

Roads and bridges have been damaged and cross-border traffic through Rasuwagadhi has been disrupted. A video is also going viral which is said to be of China-Nepal Immigration Center which has been destroyed.

Why is Kailash Yatra the most difficult?   

It is considered the most dangerous due to its altitude ranging from 14000 to 19500 feet above sea level, difficult roads and adverse weather conditions. At such altitudes, oxygen becomes very less which causes problems like difficulty in breathing, headache and dizziness.

The outer circumambulation of Mount Kailash is about 52 kilometers long which takes 3 days to complete on foot. In between comes Dolma La Pass whose steep snowy climb is the most difficult part. The weather here changes every moment.

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