Dolpa: Six Indian tourists, including two women, were stranded in Nepal’s Dolpa district following heavy snowfall, prompting authorities to launch a rescue operation in the high-altitude region.
The tourists were stranded in the Danigad area of Ward No. 8 of Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality while travelling towards Shey Phoksundo Lake, Nepal’s deepest lake. The group comprises four men and two women.
Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal Dhakal said authorities had located the tourists and were arranging a helicopter to evacuate them. The group’s location was identified after their Nepali guide alerted the district administration on Saturday evening, expressing concern that they might have become trapped in the snow.
According to officials, the tourists continued towards the lake despite warnings from security personnel and their guide. They reportedly left the guide behind, after which communication with them was lost on Saturday night.
The rescue operation faced a setback after the Nepali Army helicopter initially assigned to the mission developed a technical fault at its base in Surkhet. The district administration was looking for an alternative helicopter, The Week reported.
Akashvani News later reported that the helicopter evacuation had begun, with the operation underway as snowfall continued to block trekking routes.
The tourists have been identified as Moumita Halder, Piyali Koley, Jajla Trivedi Kumar, Aditya Singha, Diplina Bishwas and Rajesh De.
Authorities have urged tourists and residents to avoid risky routes and remain in safe locations amid continuing adverse weather conditions.
With inputs from PTI and media reports