At least 3 people have died and more than 1,500 Indian pilgrims are stranded along the Nepalganj-Simikot-Hilsa route of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Nepal after heavy rains caused landslips along the route of the pilgrimage on Tuesday. The Indian embassy in Kathmandu is monitoring the situation along the route in Simikot, 423 km from the capital. Out of the stranded Indians, 290 are from Karnataka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked officials to extend all possible assistance to those affected. The Foreign Ministry said there are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 more in Tibet side. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is of religious and cultural significance for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. In 2015, China agreed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s request to let Indians access the mountain, considered the abode of Lord Shiva, through the Nathu La Pass, which is a relatively easier route than through a pass in Uttarakhand.
