The situation remains extremely critical in Tibet's Nyalam County near the China-Nepal border following a devastating earthquake and avalanche. The natural disaster triggered severe flash floods, leaving dozens of Indian Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims stranded across the region. Local authorities have reported multiple fatalities among the local population, while several Indian nationals remain missing. Trapped at the Jiangdakang Hotel in Nyalam, Indian pilgrim Sunita Ahuja released a harrowing video message appealing directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate help. She urged the Indian government to engage with Chinese authorities to coordinate their rescue or facilitate official exit permissions for their safe return home.
Severe Destruction Following Earthquake and Avalanche
The calamity unfolded when a sudden earthquake struck the Tibet region near the China-Nepal border, triggering massive avalanches down the mountainsides. The resulting debris and surge of water caused catastrophic flash floods that completely washed away transit corridors and severed access routes. Dozens of Indian devotees who had embarked on the holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra found themselves cut off from safety. Sunita Ahuja had undertaken the pilgrimage alongside her husband, Deepak Ahuja. Three days prior to the floods, deteriorating health forced Sunita to descend from higher altitudes to Kirog. Shortly after her arrival there, intense flooding destroyed all paths leading further down, trapping them completely.
Resource Scarcity and Health Risks at Jiangdakang Hotel
Currently, Sunita Ahuja and numerous other stranded pilgrims are sheltering inside the Jiangdakang Hotel in Nyalam County. The extreme altitude combined with harsh weather conditions has created severe health complications for the travelers. Sunita is experiencing acute respiratory distress and declining health due to low oxygen levels. Furthermore, the hotel's emergency rations and clean drinking water reserves are depleting rapidly. Stranded citizens report receiving no clear instructions or assistance from the local administration, leaving them uncertain about safe escape routes. The continuous arrival of additional displaced travelers at the hotel is further exacerbating the overcrowding and supply shortage.
Appeal for Diplomatic Intervention and Exit Clearances
Faced with deteriorating medical conditions and worsening local logistics, Sunita Ahuja has made an emotional appeal for urgent intervention by the Indian government. She emphasized that if an immediate airlift or physical rescue mission is unfeasible due to weather or terrain, the government should utilize diplomatic channels to negotiate with Chinese authorities. The primary request from the stranded group is to secure formal exit permits from the Chinese administration. Obtaining these clearances would allow the stranded Indian nationals to navigate toward the border independently and return to safety. Back home, worried family members are desperately awaiting diplomatic progress to ensure the safe repatriation of their loved ones.
