Six Indian Trekkers Stranded in Nepal’s Upper Dolpa After Ignoring Severe Weather Alerts

A high-altitude rescue operation is underway in Nepal’s remote Upper Dolpa region to locate and evacuate six Indian trekkers who became trapped in heavy, unseasonable snowfall. The group, which includes four men and two women, reportedly ventured into dangerous territory despite explicit warnings from local authorities regarding the severe weather conditions currently impacting the region.

The stranded individuals have been identified as Moumita Halder, Piyali Koley, Jajla Trivedi Kumar, Aditya Singha, Diplina Biswas, and Rajesh De. They were last reported to be stuck in the Danigad area, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu. The trekkers were attempting to reach the picturesque Shey-Phoksundo Lake, a destination sitting at an altitude of roughly 3,600 meters, which is famously known as the deepest lake in Nepal.

Defiance of Safety Directives

Reports indicate that the group’s predicament was largely avoidable. Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had issued a blanket warning for heavy rainfall, snow, and potential avalanche risks between October 29 and 31. In response, the local district administration had officially restricted travel to the high-altitude zones of Upper Dolpa to ensure public safety.

Junu Hamal Dhakal, the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Dolpa, stated that the group consciously chose to ignore safety protocols. “The trekkers proceeded toward the lake even after being cautioned by security personnel and their own local guide about the deteriorating weather,” Dhakal remarked. He added that the group went as far as leaving their guide behind, opting to push forward into the mountainous terrain just as the snowfall began to intensify. Local residents had also attempted to alert the group to the fact that the mountain passes would become treacherous and impassable under the prevailing conditions.

Rescue Efforts Stymied by Technical Glitches

The alarm was raised late Saturday evening when the group’s abandoned guide managed to contact local authorities, confirming that the trekkers had lost their way in the blizzard. While search and rescue teams were quickly mobilized on Sunday morning, the operation has faced significant logistical hurdles.

A Nepal Army helicopter, tasked with extracting the stranded group, was grounded at the Surkhet air base due to a sudden technical fault. This mechanical failure forced authorities to scramble for an alternative aircraft to continue the mission.

Compounding the difficulty of the rescue is the total lack of communication. There is no mobile network coverage in the specific, snow-covered quadrant of Danigad where the six trekkers are believed to be sheltering. Because voice and data connectivity is non-existent, the rescue teams are operating with limited situational awareness.

As of Sunday evening, officials remained hopeful that the replacement helicopter would be able to reach the site and airlift the trekkers to safety before conditions worsen further. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the Himalayas and the critical importance of adhering to weather warnings in high-altitude environments.

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