A sudden flood in Nepal's Himalayan valley killed at least 798 people and left more than 3,000 missing, including dozens of Americans on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.

The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a peak regarded as sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Tibetan Bon adherents, draws thousands of travelers each year, especially in late August when weather conditions are favorable.

Patel, a 45‑year‑old software engineer from Cincinnati, posted a video of the Trishuli River from his hotel at 6:47 a.m. on August 26, unaware that a glacier was about to collapse. The resulting flood surged through the valley, sweeping away villages and infrastructure.

Chinese and Nepalese authorities reported that the flood, which followed the collapse of a mountain glacier, resulted in at least 798 deaths and more than 3,000 people unaccounted for as of Sunday. The U.S. State Department stated that 85 Americans were missing, that nine had been evacuated and that no U.S. citizen deaths had been confirmed.

The Himalayan Glacier tour company said 40 of its pilgrims, including eight Americans, were unaccounted for. The Isha Foundation, a Tennessee‑based spiritual organization, reported 77 missing pilgrims, including 22 Americans, and said the valley was covered by up to 50 feet of silt and debris.

Mount Kailash is venerated by multiple religions; pilgrims typically travel to Nepal, cross into the Tibet autonomous region, proceed to Lake Manasarovar and then walk approximately 33 miles around the mountain's base. The S3 hiking group, organized by Isha, arrived in Nepal two weeks before the trek to adjust to altitude.

The group reached the summit on August 22. On August 26, the Gyirong immigration facility on the Nepal‑China border was destroyed by a wall of water, mud, ice and debris. Rescue teams arriving on Friday found only the remnants of the checkpoint.

Family members have examined satellite images, reviewed survivor lists and checked timestamps on messaging apps for information. Representative Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia, who has assisted several families, said personal ties make the situation especially difficult. Hema Shankar said she identified three relatives on a bridge at 8:15 a.m. Nepali time before contact was lost. Riley Wilderson said his mother was likely inside the damaged immigration building but he is focusing on possible rescues.

Relatives have called for increased assistance from the U.S. government, noting that geographic distance should not diminish the value of American lives. Rescue teams are continuing search operations along the Nepal‑China border, and officials have not yet confirmed the status of the missing.