Muhammad Aman Ullah | August 28, 2026
THE TRUE POST (Web News): Ten Toronto residents are among approximately 80 members of a spiritual organization who have lost contact following devastating floods and flash flooding in Nepal and Tibet this week.
The group was traveling in the region as part of a religious pilgrimage. Organizers said the missing people include 12 Canadian citizens, 10 of whom are from Toronto.
80 People Lost Contact
Leslie Crespi, a North American community coordinator for the Isha Foundation, said Thursday that the organization has been unable to establish contact with approximately 80 members.
According to Crespi, the group members come from 19 different countries and were traveling together on a spiritual journey.
She said the organization is working with embassies, government authorities and other agencies to obtain information about the missing members.
Last Contact Before Flash Flood
Crespi said the trek organizer contacted the Isha Foundation at approximately 9:07 a.m. Wednesday.
At that time, the group had reached a Chinese immigration centre in Gyirong County, Tibet.
Only minutes after the group arrived at the immigration centre, at approximately 9:14 a.m., a flash flood struck the area.
Contact with the group was subsequently lost, raising serious concerns among their families and fellow members of the organization.
Group Was Returning From Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage
The missing group had been returning from the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are regarded as highly sacred destinations by followers of several religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon.
Pilgrims from different parts of the world travel to the remote region every year because of its deep religious and spiritual significance.
Families Waiting for Information
The disappearance has caused significant distress among the families of those who remain unaccounted for.
Crespi said the missing people are considered much more than ordinary participants by the organization and described them as part of its wider community.
Some of the individuals have reportedly been associated with the foundation for more than two decades.
She said the sudden flooding and difficult conditions in the region have made it extremely challenging to determine what happened to the group.
Emergency Meeting Held in Mississauga
Families of missing people and community leaders held an emergency meeting in Mississauga on Thursday.
Nepali community representatives discussed efforts to locate the missing individuals and provide their families with reliable information.
Community leaders also said they would ask the Canadian government to provide assistance in locating the missing people and supporting possible rescue operations.
“Everyone Is Extremely Worried”
Punya Marahatta, senior vice-president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association in Toronto, said videos of the flooding circulating on social media had increased anxiety among families.
He said members of the community are extremely worried and are trying to obtain information about their loved ones.
Community leaders have urged families with missing relatives to register their names with the federal government so authorities can coordinate efforts to locate them.
Canadian Government Responds
Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that it is aware of approximately 30 Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Nepal and Tibet who have been unable to make contact.
The department warned that the number could change as more information becomes available because conditions on the ground remain extremely difficult.
Canadian consular officials are working to establish contact with the missing individuals and confirm their safety.
Five Canadian Officials Being Sent to Kathmandu
Global Affairs Canada said five consular officials are being deployed to Kathmandu to assist affected Canadians and strengthen coordination with local authorities and other agencies.
Canadian officials are also communicating with travel agencies, local authorities and officials from other countries to gather information about the missing travelers.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has also said Canadian officials are working urgently to establish contact with Canadians in the affected areas and confirm their safety.
GlobalMedic Offers Emergency Assistance
Canadian disaster-relief organization GlobalMedic has offered assistance for relief operations in Nepal.
The organization has offered to send mobile water purification units, emergency family kits and drones to help communities affected by the flooding.
Drones Could Support Search and Rescue
According to GlobalMedic, its mobile water purification systems could be deployed at hospitals and emergency response centres to provide clean drinking water to people affected by the disaster.
The organization also said its drones could be used to assess damage, map affected areas and potentially support search-and-rescue operations.
Severe Flooding Causes Widespread Damage
Severe flooding has caused widespread disruption across parts of Nepal and Tibet.
Road connections have been damaged in several areas, while communication links have also been disrupted in some locations.
Heavy rainfall, sudden flash floods and difficult mountainous terrain are creating additional challenges for emergency responders attempting to reach affected communities.
Search for Missing People Continues
Families of the 80 people who have lost contact, including the 10 Toronto residents, are waiting anxiously for reliable information.
Canadian officials, diplomatic personnel, local authorities and representatives of the organization are continuing efforts to determine the whereabouts and safety of those who remain unaccounted for.
Officials expect the situation to become clearer as communications are restored and more information becomes available from affected areas.
For the families, the immediate priority remains establishing contact with their loved ones and ensuring their safe return.
