Snow Trap in Dolpa: 6 Indian Tourists Rescued by Helicopter
Six Indian tourists stranded by heavy snowfall during a trek to Shey-Phoksundo Lake in Nepal have been successfully rescued via helicopter.
A daring rescue operation has successfully brought six Indian tourists back to safety after they became stranded amidst heavy snowfall in the rugged Dolpa district of Nepal. The group, who were trekking toward the stunning Shey-Phoksundo Lake—the deepest lake in the country—found themselves trapped in a treacherous landscape as weather conditions deteriorated rapidly.
A Perilous Journey and Local Warnings
The group of tourists was traveling through Ward Nos. 4 and 8 of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality. They were eventually reported missing in the high-altitude regions of Numla Pass and Bagla Pass. According to officials, the situation was compounded by the fact that the tourists had entered the restricted area without the necessary legal permits.
Furthermore, reports indicate that the group proceeded with their journey despite receiving warnings from local residents about the dangers of the terrain and the impending weather. The region was hit by intense snowfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab, which had developed over the Bay of Bengal, turning the trek into a survival struggle.
The Grueling Rescue Operation
The evacuation was not without its hurdles. While the rescue was initially planned for Sunday, a series of technical failures nearly derailed the mission. A Nepal Army helicopter was forced to abandon its attempt due to a technical glitch during takeoff. Shortly after, a Simrik Air helicopter also had to halt its operations at 4:30 pm due to similar technical problems.
Determination paid off on Monday morning. The rescue mission resumed at 6 am, with the tourists being evacuated in two separate phases. Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal confirmed that two women were airlifted first to the district headquarters, followed by the remaining four individuals. The rescued tourists have been identified as:
- Moumita Haldar
- Piyali Kole
- Jajala Trivedi Kumar
- Aditya Singha
- Diplina Biswas
- Rajesh De
Officials have confirmed that all six individuals are in normal health following their ordeal.
The Allure and Danger of Shey-Phoksundo
Located in the Karnali Province of northwestern Nepal, Shey-Phoksundo is famous for its deep turquoise alpine waters and breathtaking scenery. This beauty has led to a surge in visitors; data shows that 4,882 tourists visited the lake during the first 11 months of the 2025/26 fiscal year.
The District Administration Office noted that Upper Dolpa has seen a diverse crowd, including 149 Nepali nationals, 44 visitors from SAARC countries, and 51 other foreign nationals. However, the recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of the Himalayan climate. Local authorities continue to urge all travelers to avoid high-risk areas and adhere to safety guidelines during adverse weather conditions.