Six Indian tourists rescued from Nepal park after snowstorm

Six Indian tourists stranded in Nepal park as Army plans rescue The remote Langtang National Park in central Nepal has become the scene of a tense rescue operation after six Indian tourists were left stranded following an unexpected snowstorm on Monday. The group, part of a guided trekking expedition, lost contact with their base camp when heavy snowfall cut off the mountain passes, forcing them to take shelter in a small wooden chalet near the village of Kyang. Local authorities were alerted when the tourists failed to check‑in at the scheduled time, prompting a coordinated search involving Nepal’s army, the police, and the Indian embassy..

The tourists, all citizens of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, had been on a ten‑day trek that was marketed as a “moderate‑difficulty” adventure through the high Himalayas. Their guide, a Nepalese certified trekking leader, reported that the weather forecast had been clear the previous day, but an abrupt drop in temperature and sudden blizzard conditions caught the party off guard. “We set out early in the morning, expecting clear skies..

By late afternoon the clouds thickened, and within an hour the snowfall was so heavy we could barely see the trail,” the guide recounted to journalists at the army headquarters in Kathmandu. Rescue teams were mobilised after the guide’s frantic radio call was received at the Kyang police outpost at 2200 hrs. The Nepalese Army’s Special Forces, known for their high‑altitude expertise, were dispatched from the nearby Gorkha district, accompanied by a Nepalese Air Force helicopter equipped with thermal imaging equipment..

The operation, however, faces significant challenges: the chalet sits at 3,500 metres, the snowfall has reduced visibility to less than five metres, and the risk of avalanches remains high as the snowpack continues to shift. The Indian embassy in Kathmandu has been closely monitoring the situation, with Deputy Chief of Mission Arjun Patel confirming that a liaison team is in constant contact with Nepali officials. “Our top priority is the safety and well‑being of our nationals,” Patel said in a statement, adding that the embassy has prepared a medical team to be on standby should the tourists require urgent care upon extraction..

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has also issued an advisory to other Indian travellers, urging heightened vigilance when venturing into Nepal’s high‑altitude regions during the monsoon season. Local residents of Kyang, a small settlement of around 200 people, have been providing food and warm blankets to the stranded tourists. Villager Maya Gurung, who lives just a kilometre from the chalet, described the scene as “a mix of hope and fear”..

She said the tourists were visibly shaken but managed to keep their spirits up by sharing stories and singing folk songs. “They are grateful for any help we can give,” Gurung added, highlighting the strong tradition of hospitality that characterises many Himalayan communities. Meanwhile, the Nepalese army’s rescue commander, Colonel Ramesh Thapa, outlined the tactical plan in a press briefing held at the army’s central command..

The first phase involves securing a safe route to the chalet using snow‑clearing equipment and establishing a temporary helipad on a nearby ridge. The second phase will see a small team of climbers ascend the chalet to assess the tourists’ condition before the helicopter extracts them. “We are proceeding with utmost caution, as the weather could deteriorate at any moment,” Colonel Thapa warned..

Experts say that climate change has increased the frequency of sudden weather shifts in the Himalayas, making such emergencies more likely. Anil Sharma, a climatologist at Tribhuvan University, explained that rising temperatures destabilise snow layers, leading to rapid snowfalls and avalanches even during traditionally “safe” trekking periods. “Tourists and guides must now factor in these new variables and plan for longer contingencies,” he advised, underscoring the need for updated safety protocols across the region’s adventure tourism sector..

The trekkers themselves have remained in contact with their families via satellite phone, sending brief messages that reassured loved ones they were safe but exhausted. One of the tourists, 32‑year‑old Rahul Mehta, wrote, “We are staying warm, drinking tea, and waiting for help. The snow is heavy, but the staff here is wonderful.” His words have resonated on social media, where the incident has generated a wave of supportive messages from both Nepalese and Indian netizens, many of whom have called for improved cross‑border emergency response mechanisms..

International observers note that the incident could serve as a test case for the recently signed Nepal‑India tourism cooperation agreement, which includes provisions for joint emergency response teams. The agreement, signed last year, aims to streamline assistance for tourists in distress, sharing resources such as medical evacuation helicopters and trained personnel. “If we can successfully coordinate this rescue, it will set a precedent for future cooperation,” said Dr..

Priya Singh, a policy analyst with the South Asian Institute of Strategic Studies. As night fell, the army’s helicopter, a Mi‑17 equipped with night‑vision capabilities, began its cautious approach to the makeshift helipad. Visibility remained poor, but the crew reported that the snow had begun to ease slightly, allowing for a brief window of safe landing..

Inside the chalet, the tourists were given heated blankets and a hot soup prepared by the guide, who used a portable stove to melt snow for water. “We are ready for evacuation as soon as the helicopter signals,” the guide said, his voice steady despite the fatigue. The first extraction is expected to occur within the next two hours, according to Colonel Thapa, who confirmed that two tourists.