Six Indian tourists go missing during trek to Nepal's deepest lake amid heavy snowfall, rescue ops underway
PTC News Desk: Six Indian tourists—four men and two women—have gone missing in Nepal’s Dolpa district while travelling towards Shey Phoksundo Lake. Authorities are preparing a search and rescue operation and have requested a helicopter to help locate them. A Nepalese Army team has also been deployed.
The group was travelling from Dolpa towards the lake when contact was lost near the Numa La and Baga La mountain passes, between wards 4 and 8 of Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality. Local guides suspect the tourists may be stranded because of heavy snowfall. The snowfall is believed to have been caused by the effects of Cyclone Arnab, which developed over the Bay of Bengal.
Local residents said the tourists had been warned that snow would make the mountain passes difficult to cross. However, they continued their journey and were reportedly trapped while returning. Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal said the group was travelling from Dho towards Phoksundo Lake when they became stranded. She confirmed that local residents had cautioned them about the conditions, but the tourists proceeded. Contact with them has since been lost.
Helicopter sought for rescue
Dolpa Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Raj Giri said the six tourists had not yet been found. Authorities have asked the relevant agencies to arrange a helicopter to support the search.
Heavy snowfall and poor weather are making the operation difficult. Deep snow and a lack of mobile network coverage in the area have also prevented authorities from contacting the tourists or confirming their location. Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality chairman Dhawa Samduk Gurung said there is no mobile network coverage in the mountain passes between wards 4 and 8, making it difficult to gather information about the missing group.
According to the District Administration Office, 244 tourists have reached Upper Dolpa: 149 Nepali nationals, 44 visitors from SAARC countries and 51 people from other countries. The district administration has urged tourists to avoid dangerous areas and stay in safe locations during the bad weather.
Nepalese army joins search
Chief District Officer Junu Hamal said a Nepalese Army team had been sent to help find the tourists and bring them to safety. With contact still lost and severe weather hampering the search, authorities are seeking helicopter support to locate the group and carry out the rescue.
- PTC NEWS
