Six Indian tourists stranded in Nepal park as Army plans rescue

Six Indian tourists, including two women, have been stranded in Nepal's Shey-Phoksundo Park area following heavy snowfall since Saturday afternoon, officials told news agency Press Trust of India.

Security personnel have located the group and are working to rescue them, with an Army helicopter expected to reach the area, officials said on Sunday.

The tourists had travelled to the Dho area in Ward No. 8 of Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality, which was covered in heavy snow, Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Dhakal told PTI.

Shey Phoksundo Lake, located in the rural municipality, is Nepal's deepest lake. It is situated at an altitude of 3,600 metres and has an estimated depth of 145 metres.

"We have located the area where they are stranded, and an Army helicopter is arriving to rescue them. We hope to rescue them soon," Dhakal said.

She said the tourists had entered the area despite warnings from security personnel and their Nepali guide. They left the guide and continued towards the lake despite the heavy snowfall.

Communication with the tourists was disrupted on Saturday night. The guide contacted the District Administration Office in Dolpa on Saturday evening and said the tourists might have been stranded because of the snowfall, Dhakal said. Communication was completely disrupted on Sunday morning.

"We cannot say they are missing, as we have located the area," Dhakal clarified.

The tourists have been identified as Moumita Halder, Piyali Koley, Jajla Trivedi Kumar, Aditya Singha, Diplina Bishwas and Rajesh De, according to a press release issued by the District Administration Office in Dolpa.

Security personnel have been deployed for the operation and a rescue helicopter is expected to arrive soon, the release said. Officials said efforts were continuing to bring the six tourists to safety.

With PTI Inputs

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