A search and rescue operation has been launched in Nepal's Dolpa district after six Indian tourists were reported missing during a trek to the high-altitude Shey-Phoksundo Lake. The group, consisting of four men and two women, lost contact with local authorities following heavy snowfall in the Himalayan region. Officials have identified the area of disappearance as the mountain passes of Numla and Bagla, situated between Ward Nos. 4 and 8 of the Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality.
According to local officials, the tourists were travelling from the Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality towards the deepest lake in Nepal when weather conditions deteriorated sharply. Local residents had reportedly warned the group that crossing the high-altitude mountain passes would be hazardous due to the incoming snowfall. Despite these advisories, the group proceeded with their trek and are believed to have become stranded while attempting to return from the Dho area.
District Administration Office records indicate that a significant number of travellers have visited Upper Dolpa recently. A total of 244 tourists are currently in the region, including 51 citizens from foreign countries outside the SAARC region and 44 from SAARC nations, with the remainder being Nepali nationals. The rise in visitors to the Shey-Phoksundo Lake area has been consistent, with 4,882 tourists documented in the first 11 months of the 2082/83 fiscal year.
Local guides have suggested that the sudden, severe weather may be linked to the influence of Cyclone Arnab, which has been developing over the Bay of Bengal. This weather system has brought intense snowfall to the region, creating perilous conditions for those traversing the high-altitude passes. Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal confirmed that the tourists failed to heed warnings regarding the challenging mountain conditions, which ultimately led to them being trapped.
Search efforts are facing significant logistical hurdles. The Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality Chairman, Dhawa Samduk Gurung, highlighted that the complete absence of mobile phone connectivity in the mountain passes between Wards 4 and 8 has prevented officials from establishing the exact whereabouts or the current condition of the missing individuals. This communication gap has become a primary challenge for rescue teams coordinating the operation.
The local administration has requested the deployment of a helicopter to facilitate an aerial search and rescue mission. Deputy Superintendent of Police for Dolpa, Anil Raj Giri, confirmed that authorities remain focused on locating the missing tourists. In addition to local police coordination, a team from the Nepal Army has been deployed to the area to assist in the search, navigating the thick snow and harsh terrain.
In the wake of the incident, the district administration has issued an urgent advisory urging all tourists currently in the region to avoid risky areas and remain in safe, designated locations. Officials continue to monitor the weather patterns, hoping for a window of improved conditions that will allow for a more comprehensive ground and air-based rescue effort. For now, the primary objective remains the safe recovery of the six Indian nationals from the remote Himalayan passes.
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