Search Operations Underway for Six Indian Tourists Missing in Nepal’s Dolpa District

Search and Rescue Operations Initiated

Authorities in Nepal have launched search and rescue operations for six Indian nationals who went missing while trekking toward Shey-Phoksundo Lake, the deepest lake in the country. According to reports from the Dolpa District Administration Office, the group, consisting of four men and two women, lost contact while traversing high-altitude mountain passes.

Local officials have stated that the missing individuals were last reported in the vicinity of Numla Pass and Bagla Pass. The group was reportedly traveling between Ward Nos. 4 and 8 of the Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality when they encountered severe weather conditions.

Factors Complicating Search Efforts

Multiple factors are currently hindering the search for the missing trekkers:

• Extreme Weather: Heavy snowfall has blanketed the region, which officials attribute to shifting weather patterns, including the influence of Cyclone Arnab originating over the Bay of Bengal.
• Communication Gaps: A lack of mobile phone connectivity in the remote mountain passes between Wards 4 and 8 has prevented rescuers from establishing contact or determining the precise location of the trekkers.
• Terrain: The high-altitude geography of the Dolpa region makes ground access dangerous for rescue teams.

Official Response and Warnings

Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal confirmed that the group proceeded on their journey despite local residents reportedly advising them against the trek due to deteriorating conditions. In response to the disappearance, the Nepal Army has been deployed to the region, and authorities have requested aerial assistance via helicopter to assist in locating the group.

District officials have reported that approximately 244 tourists are currently present in the Upper Dolpa area. In light of these events, the administration has issued a formal advisory urging all visitors in the region to avoid high-risk mountain routes and remain in designated safe areas until weather conditions improve.

Verifying Information

To track the latest updates on this ongoing rescue mission, the public and concerned parties should rely on official briefings provided by the District Administration Office of Dolpa or the Nepal Police. Authentic updates will typically be disseminated through official government notices or registered news outlets in Nepal that maintain direct communication with the Dolpa district headquarters.