Kathmandu, 01 November (H.S.): Six Indian tourists, including two women and four men, have gone missing amid heavy snowfall in Nepal's Dolpa district while travelling towards Shey-Phoksundo Lake. They lost contact in the areas around Numla Pass and Bagla Pass, situated between Wards 4 and 8 of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality.

Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal said the tourists became stranded in the snow while returning from Dho towards Phoksundo Lake. She said local residents had warned them about the difficulties of crossing the mountain passes amid the snowfall, but they proceeded with their journey. Contact with the group has since been lost.

According to Dhawa Samduk Gurung, chairperson of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality, there is no mobile network coverage in the mountain passes between Wards 4 and 8. The absence of communication facilities has made it difficult for authorities to obtain information about the tourists' whereabouts and current condition.

Dolpa Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Raj Giri said the six tourists had not yet been traced. He added that the concerned authorities had been requested to arrange a helicopter to facilitate search and rescue operations.

Chief District Officer Hamal also confirmed that a team of the Nepal Army had been deployed to locate the missing tourists and assist in bringing them to safety.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar