Six Indian tourists are currently unaccounted for after heavy snowfall struck a high-altitude trekking region around Nepal’s Shey-Phoksundo Lake. The group, comprising two women and four men, was reported missing on Sunday, November 1, 2026, while returning from their trek.
Authorities believe the tourists are stranded in the vicinity of the Numla Pass and Bagla Pass areas, located between Ward Nos. 4 and 8 of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality and Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality.
Warnings Disregarded
Local residents and officials had cautioned the trekkers about the severe weather conditions and the difficulty of crossing mountain passes due to the snowfall. Despite these warnings, the group reportedly pressed on with their journey into the high-altitude terrain.
Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal confirmed the situation, stating, "The tourists became stranded while returning from Dho towards Phoksundo Lake. They had been warned by locals about the difficult weather and mountain conditions but proceeded with their journey."
Challenging Search and Rescue Operations
Search and rescue efforts have been significantly hampered by the ongoing heavy snowfall and the region's challenging weather. Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality Chairman Dhawa Samduk Gurung highlighted the communication difficulties, noting, "Mobile phone communication is unavailable in the mountain passes between Wards 4 and 8, making it difficult to obtain information about the tourists' whereabouts and current condition."
Dolpa Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Raj Giri stated that six Indian tourists remain out of contact and that authorities have requested a helicopter for search and rescue operations. A Nepal Army team has also been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing the missing individuals. The heavy snow and lack of mobile network coverage continue to impede efforts to pinpoint their exact location and assess their condition.
The district administration has issued a public advisory urging all tourists to avoid risky areas and prioritize safety by staying in secure locations. Tourist arrivals to the Shey-Phoksundo Lake area have seen an increase in recent years, with 4,882 visitors recorded in the first 11 months of the fiscal year 2082/83 (Nepali calendar), including 44 from SAARC countries.