Army Chopper Dispatched to Rescue Six Stranded Indian Tourists in Nepal

UPDATE - follow-up to Six Indian tourists stranded in Nepal, rescue efforts underway: Six Indian tourists remain stranded in Nepal due to heavy snowfall since Saturday afternoon. An Army helicopter has been mobilised to rescue the group from the Shey-Phoksundo National Park area.

The Stranded Group

The stranded travellers include two women, with all six identified as Moumita Halder, Piyali Koley, Jajla Trivedi Kumar, Aditya Singha, Diplina Bishwas, and Rajesh De. They ventured into the Dho area in Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality's Ward No. 8 despite clear warnings from security personnel and their Nepali guide. The group left the guide behind and proceeded toward the lake area as heavy snow hit.

Rescue Operations

Communication with the tourists was cut off on Saturday night, and the guide informed the Dolpa District Administration Office that evening. Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Dhakal stated that authorities have located the area where the group is stranded, and officials clarified they are not considered missing. Security personnel are being mobilised on the ground while an Army helicopter arrives to airlift them to safety.

Context

High-altitude regions like Shey Phoksundo experience sudden and severe weather shifts, making off-trail movement hazardous during heavy snowstorms. Mountain rescue operations in such remote terrain typically rely on coordinated ground teams and aerial support when ground routes become impassable.