Ex-DRDO Chief, 31 Hyderabad Pilgrims Safe After Nepal Flash Flood
HYDERABAD – In a major relief for families and the broader community, a group of 31 pilgrims from Hyderabad, including former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief G. Satheesh Reddy, have been confirmed safe after narrowly escaping a severe flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border during their sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Narrow Escape and Current Status
According to available information, the group successfully crossed the affected area just hours before the flash floods struck the Rasuwa-Gyirong region. The sudden deluge severely disrupted road connectivity, leaving several other travelers and pilgrims stranded or unaccounted for in the treacherous terrain.
The Hyderabad contingent has successfully completed the rigorous Kailash Parikrama and safely reached Darchen. They are currently stationed in Saga, Tibet, where they are coordinating with local authorities and tour operators to determine the safest way home.
Reassuring Anxious Families
With communication lines often spotty in the high-altitude region, families back in Hyderabad spent an anxious night trying to reach their loved ones. To alleviate these fears, a member of the pilgrimage group released a video message directly from Saga, providing a firsthand account of their safety.
“People back home had remained anxious and had called throughout the night to ask about their family members,” the group member stated in the video. “I assure them that there is no need to worry and that everyone is safe and sound.”
In the video, the speaker panned the camera to show the group, explicitly identifying key staff members like Lobsang and Nepali staff manager Rajender, as well as confirming the presence of prominent individuals, including Dr. Satheesh Reddy. He emphasized that no accidents or untoward incidents had occurred and that the group was maintaining a positive mindset while taking all necessary safety precautions.
Alternative Route for Return Journey
With the traditional return route through Nepal currently impassable due to the flood damage, the group is actively exploring alternative travel plans.
“The pilgrims would return through whichever exit route China decides to keep open,” the group member explained. The contingent is now looking to travel back to Hyderabad via the Tibet-China route, coordinating closely with local support staff to ensure a secure and organized evacuation from the region.
Looking Ahead
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a spiritually significant but physically demanding journey, often fraught with unpredictable high-altitude weather and terrain challenges. The swift and safe navigation of this crisis by the Hyderabad group, guided by experienced local staff, highlights the importance of robust contingency planning in such expeditions.
Authorities and family members remain in close contact with the group as they finalize their travel arrangements back to India. Further updates are expected as the group begins their journey home via the alternate route.