Pilgrims Stranded In Darchen As Floods Block Routes

 Several pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh are among those stranded in and around Darchen in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region after flash floods damaged roads and blocked routes in the area, according to a pilgrim from Adoni in Kurnool district.

Nivarthi Ranganath Sastri, who is in Darchen with his family, said several groups of Telugu-speaking pilgrims were in the region, though the exact number of pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh and other states could not be ascertained.

Sastri said groups associated with the Isha Foundation were also in the region, with each group having at least 150 members and around 15 such groups operating in the area.

Darchen, about 10 km from Mount Kailash, is a key base for pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Parikrama. The affected area, including Darchen and the route towards Mansarovar, extends over a radius of around 60 km, he said.

Sastri and his family reached Kathmandu on August 18 and later travelled to Tibet as part of their pilgrimage. They are currently staying in Darchen after the road they used to reach the region was washed away or severely damaged by the floods.

He said the situation in Darchen was currently stable, but pilgrims were unable to leave because roads were blocked. Movement to nearby areas was also restricted and required permission from Chinese authorities.

The main concern, Sastri said, was the lack of clarity over when and how the pilgrims would be able to leave Darchen.

His group was scheduled to undertake the three-day Kailash Parikrama around Mount Kailash. One batch left for the Parikrama on Wednesday morning, while Sastri stayed back because he was suffering from chest congestion and altitude sickness. His wife and parents also remained in Darchen.

The pilgrims who left for the Parikrama were expected to return by Thursday afternoon. Their situation would become clearer after their return, he said.

Sastri said his 65-year-old mother and 29-year-old wife were among his family members staying in Darchen. Many other women and children were also among the stranded pilgrims, he said.

The families were staying in hotels located close to each other and remained in regular contact. Hotels were providing food and other essential supplies, with no immediate shortage reported in Darchen.

However, Sastri said the inability to leave the area because of damaged and blocked roads remained the main concern. He urged the Government of India to take steps to assist the stranded pilgrims and ensure their safe return.

The pilgrims are part of a larger group that travelled to the Mount Kailash-Mansarovar region for religious purposes.