Severe mountain weather in Nepal has left six Indian travelers, including two women, stranded in the rugged expanse of Shey-Phoksundo National Park. Heavy snowfall, which began on the afternoon of October 31, completely blanketed the terrain, prompting local authorities to initiate an emergency search and rescue mission confirmed by officials on November 1.
Trekkers Stranded Near Dho in Shey-Phoksundo
Detailing the situation on the ground, Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Dhakal stated that the tourists had journeyed into the Dho settlement, situated within Ward Number 8 of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality. The intense and continuous blizzard covered the entire zone under a deep layer of snow, paralyzing trail movement. The rural municipality encompasses the renowned Shey-Phoksundo Lake, recognized as Nepal's deepest lake with a depth of approximately 145 meters, perched at an elevation of 3,600 meters above sea level.
Location Pinpointed as Military Air Support Mobilizes
Addressing the ongoing rescue logistics, Junu Dhakal confirmed that rescue personnel have managed to trace the exact location where the group is trapped. Dhakal stated,
"We have tracked the location of the area where the tourists are stranded."An army helicopter is reaching the site to airlift the individuals to safety, with officials expressing strong confidence that the stranded visitors will be evacuated without delay.
Ignored Warnings and Sequence of Lost Contact
Official accounts indicate that the Indian travelers pushed ahead despite explicit warnings from security personnel and their local Nepali trekking guide. According to Dhakal, the visitors parted ways with their guide and continued hiking toward the lake despite worsening weather conditions. The guide contacted the Dolpa District Administration Office on the evening of October 31, flagging concerns that the group had likely become trapped in the snow. Communication faltered over Saturday night before cutting off entirely on the morning of November 1, triggering an escalated response from authorities.
