Six Indian trekkers missing in Nepal's Upper Dolpo after heavy snowfall; army, police search

Six Indian tourists who went trekking towards Shey-Phoksundo lake in Nepal's remote mountains have gone missing. The group has two women and four men. Shey-Phoksundo is counted among Nepal's deepest and most beautiful lakes.

Weather in the Upper Dolpo area was very bad and heavy snowfall began suddenly, leaving the tourists stranded in snow-covered terrain. The local administration and the Nepal Army have intensified the search to bring them out safely.

Officials said on Sunday that security personnel have been trying since Saturday afternoon to rescue the six Indians caught in the heavy snow. According to Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Dhakal, the tourists had gone to the Dho area in Ward No. 8 of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality, where heavy snow had settled.

Official information says the six were last seen around Numla Pass and Bagla Pass, which lie between Wards 4 and 8 of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality. The weather across the region changed abruptly under the influence of Cyclone 'Arnab', which formed in the Bay of Bengal, and heavy snow began to fall.

Local guides and officials had reportedly warned of the weather risk before the group set out. The initial assessment is that the group nevertheless continued its trek despite the worsening weather and warnings about dangerous mountain passes.

There is no mobile network or internet in this remote area. With no network in the high passes, the administration is unable to contact the tourists. Establishing their exact condition and where they are stranded has become a major challenge for the local teams.

A special contingent of the Nepal Army has been deployed at the site, along with local police and the administration, to find them quickly. Heavy snowfall, steadily falling temperatures and difficult terrain are hampering the rescue. The army teams are nonetheless checking the snow-covered routes with the help of local guides. Given the seriousness of the situation, the administration is also considering an aerial survey by helicopter if needed.

According to official figures from the district administration office, 244 tourists are currently in the Upper Dolpo area. They include 149 Nepali nationals, 44 tourists from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries and 51 international tourists from other countries. In view of the worsening weather, the district administration has strongly urged all tourists and trekking groups to stay away from mountain passes and dangerous areas and to halt immediately at a safe place. It has also advised them to suspend further trekking until the weather returns to normal.