Kathmandu: Six Indian tourists have gone missing in Nepal’s Dolpa district amidst heavy snowfall while heading toward Shey-Phoksundo Lake. The group consists of two women and four men. Contact with them was lost in the vicinity of Numla Pass and Bagla Pass—mountain passes located between Ward numbers 4 and 8 of the Shey-Phoksundo rural municipality.
Junu Hamal, the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Dolpa, stated that the tourists were traveling from Dho toward Phoksundo Lake when they became trapped in the snow. She noted that although local residents had warned them about the difficulties of crossing the mountains, the group proceeded anyway; they are now unreachable. According to Dhawa Samduk Gurung, the chairperson of the Shey-Phoksundo rural municipality, there is no mobile network coverage at the passes located between Ward numbers 4 and 8. The lack of communication facilities has made it difficult to gather information regarding the status of the tourists.
Anil Raj Giri, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for Dolpa, confirmed that the tourists have not yet been located. He added that a request has been made to the relevant authorities to arrange a helicopter for search and rescue operations. Chief District Officer Hamal further stated that a team from the Nepal Army has been deployed to locate the missing tourists and ensure their safe rescue.
