Kathmandu: Six Indian tourists, including two women, have been stranded in Nepal’s Shey-Phoksundo region following heavy snowfall, with security personnel and the Nepal Army preparing rescue operations, officials said on Sunday.
The group was travelling towards Shey-Phoksundo Lake in Dolpa district and was last reported in the areas around Numla and Bagla passes.
Authorities identified the tourists as Moumita Halder, Piyali Koley, Jajla Trivedi Kumar, Aditya Singha, Diplina Bishwas and Rajesh De.
Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Dhakal said authorities had located the area where the tourists were stranded and an Army helicopter was being arranged for their evacuation.
She said the tourists continued towards the lake despite warnings from security personnel, local residents and their Nepali guide.
Communication with the group was disrupted on Saturday night and became completely unavailable by Sunday morning.
Officials said heavy snowfall, poor weather and limited mobile connectivity across the mountain passes were complicating rescue efforts. A Nepal Army team has also been deployed.
Meanwhile, 244 tourists, including 149 Nepali nationals, 44 visitors from SAARC countries and 51 from other countries, have reached Upper Dolpa, according to the district administration.
Authorities have advised visitors to avoid risky routes and remain in safe locations amid worsening weather conditions.
