Helicopter Rescue in Dolpa District
Six Indian tourists have been successfully rescued by helicopter after being stranded by heavy snowfall near Nepal's remote Shey-Phoksundo Lake. The group, which included Moumita Haldar, Piyali Kole, Jajala Trivedi Kumar, Aditya Singha, Diplina Biswas, and Rajesh De, was airlifted to safety on Monday morning after facing adverse weather conditions.
The tourists were trekking from Ward Nos. 4 and 8 of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality towards Shey-Phoksundo Lake when they became trapped. They were last reported missing in the Numla Pass and Bagla Pass areas, which lie between the two wards of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality.
Delays and Warnings Ignored
According to Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal, the rescue operation encountered multiple delays. Initial attempts on Sunday by a Nepal Army helicopter and a Simrik Air helicopter were called off due to technical problems. The mission finally commenced on Monday at 6 am, successfully bringing all six individuals to the district headquarters in two phases. Officials confirmed their health conditions are normal.
District officials also revealed that the tourists did not possess the required permits for the restricted area and proceeded with their journey despite explicit warnings from local residents about the deteriorating weather. The heavy snowfall was attributed to Cyclone Arnab, which had developed over the Bay of Bengal, impacting the Himalayan region.
Safety Advisory Issued
Shey-Phoksundo Lake, a deep turquoise body of water in Nepal's Dolpa district, has seen a recent increase in tourist visits. However, authorities have reiterated the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and obtaining necessary permits, especially when venturing into high-altitude and remote areas prone to sudden weather changes. The district administration has advised all tourists to avoid risky zones and prioritize safe locations during periods of inclement weather.