The rescue of six Indian tourists stranded in Upper Dolpa by heavy snowfall has been delayed. Although preparations were made to deploy a helicopter for the operation, a technical problem in a Nepali Army helicopter caused the delay.
Of the 244 tourists in Dolpa, six Indian tourists are stranded in the Danigadh area of Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality-8 because of heavy snowfall. The District Administration Office is working to rescue the group, which consists of two women and four men.
Chief District Officer Junu Hamal Dhakal said it has been difficult to carry out an immediate rescue after a problem developed in the helicopter stationed at the Nepali Army’s air base in Surkhet. She said the search for another helicopter is currently underway.
The Indian tourists awaiting rescue are Moumita Haldar, Piyali Kole, Jajal Trived Kumar, Aditya Singh, Dipalina Biswas and Rajesh Dey. The District Administration Office received information on Kartik 14 that they were stranded because of the snowfall.
A helicopter rescue had been planned for today. However, after a technical problem arose in the helicopter needed for the operation, the office had to look for an alternative.
Tourism is growing, but rescue preparedness is weak
Upper Dolpa is becoming a major attraction for foreign tourists because of its natural beauty, Himalayan landscape, Buddhist culture and Phoksundo Lake. As the number of visitors rises, their safety and emergency rescue have become equally important.
Road access is limited in a remote district like Dolpa. Weather in the high mountains can change suddenly, and snowfall can block even walking trails, so helicopters are often the main means of rescue in emergencies.
However, the lack of an available helicopter when a rescue is needed poses a challenge to tourists’ safety. The failure to arrange an alternative immediately when one helicopter developed a technical problem shows that rescue systems in remote areas need better preparation.
Alongside the goal of increasing tourist arrivals, priority should also be given to the rescue mechanisms, helicopter availability and emergency coordination needed to keep tourists safe. The District Administration Office said it is currently searching for another helicopter to rescue the six Indian tourists.
