Gorkha, October 12
Tourists visiting Chum Valley have been stranded following flooding in the Budhi Gandaki River on Sunday.
The swollen river damaged bridges and trekking routes, disrupting the movement of tourists in the area.
Local hotel entrepreneur Ganesh Karki said that tourists were concerned about their restricted movement after flash floods damaged trekking routes. Some of them were airlifted to safety by the Nepali Army on Monday morning.
According to the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP), more than 80 tourists are stranded in Chum Valley.
Dorje Lama, a hotelier in Chhekampar, said foreign tourists were worried that their visas might expire because of delays caused by the disruption in movement.
Assistant Chief District Officer Netra Sharma said the government had already decided that helicopters would not need prior permission to conduct rescue operations for stranded tourists.
“In an emergency, the companies that sent tourists on treks can take the initiative. Otherwise, the government itself facilitates rescue operations,” Sharma said.
Authorities are currently prioritising the rescue of people stranded in the flood-hit area.
—RSS
