Rescue bid for six Indian tourists stranded by snowfall in Dolpa hit by helicopter glitch

The rescue of six Indian tourists stranded by heavy snowfall in Dolpa's upper region has been delayed. Chief District Officer Junu Hamal Dhakal said the Nepal Army helicopter being sent from the Surkhet army air base for the rescue developed a technical problem.

She said another helicopter was being arranged as an alternative. The group, comprising two women and four men, is stranded in the Danigad area of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality-8, where they had gone to visit Shey-Phoksundo Lake.

They were unable to proceed after days of snowfall blocked the high Himalayan trail. The District Administration Office in Dunai learned of their situation at 9 pm on Saturday, Kattik 14, after which the district security committee meeting decided to carry out a helicopter rescue, police said.

According to the administration, the plan was to airlift them out by helicopter today, Kattik 15. Police said full details of all the tourists had not yet been obtained due to communication problems.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast light rain or snow in one or two places in Himalayan and hilly areas, including Karnali, today and tomorrow.