Kathmandu: Six Indian tourists have been reported missing while on a trek to Shey-Phoksundo Lake, the deepest lake of Nepal, after heavy snowfall in the area.
The group, including two women and four men, went missing while travelling from ward numbers 4 and 8 of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality towards Shey-Phoksundo Lake.
The Indians went missing in the Numla Pass and Bagla Pass areas between wards 4 and 8 of the Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality, ANI reported.
The tourists may have become stranded following heavy snowfall in the Himalayan region that was reportedly influenced by Cyclone Arnab that developed in the Bay of Bengal, local guides suspect.
The tourists proceeded towards the high-altitude area despite warnings from residents that crossing the mountain passes would be difficult due to snowfall, officials said.
It is suspected that they got trapped in the snow while returning from the trek.
“The tourists got stranded while returning from Dho towards Phoksundo Lake. They had been warned by locals about the difficult weather and mountain conditions but proceeded with their journey,” Dolpa chief district officer Junu Hamal said.
Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality chairman Dhawa Samduk Gurung said: “Mobile phone communication is unavailable in the mountain passes between Wards 4 and 8, making it difficult to obtain information about the tourists’ whereabouts and current condition.”
According to the District Administration Office, “A total of 244 tourists have reached Upper Dolpa. Of them, 149 are Nepali nationals, 44 are from SAARC countries, and 51 are citizens of other foreign countries.”
The district administration has urged tourists to avoid risky areas and remain in safe locations due to the adverse weather conditions.
In recent years, tourist arrivals in the Shey-Phoksundo Lake area have increased in recent years. According to available data, 4,882 tourists visited the area over the last 11 months.
“Six Indian tourists remain out of contact. Authorities have requested the concerned agency to arrange a helicopter for search and rescue operations,” Dolpa DSP Anil Raj Giri said.
Officials said that search and rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions in the high Himalayan region. The absence of mobile phone connectivity in the area and thick snow have made it difficult to determine the tourists’ whereabouts and condition. A team of the Nepal Army has also been deployed to locate the tourists and assist in their rescue.