Over 1500 Indian Kailash Yatra pilgrims stranded in Nepal due to heavy rains
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According to reports, over 1500 pilgrims from Karnataka are stranded in Nepal after heavy rains caused landslips along the route of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
There are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 more in Tibet side, ANI reported.
Nepal: Indian Embassy in Nepal has pressed in service of a medical personnel to do check up & medical aid of 250 pilgrims stranded in Simikot. The pilgrims who were on pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar have been stranded in Simikot due to inclement weather condition in the area. pic.twitter.com/WYki5DZbeO
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2018
The Indian Embassy in Nepal has directed tour operators to keep the pilgrims back on the Tibetan side owing to inadequate medical facilities on the Nepalese side.
Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot. They are touch with the pilgrims and ensuring that food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims. /2 #IndiansStrandedInNepal
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 3, 2018
As per the Karnataka Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the Embassy of India, Kathmandu is continuously monitoring the situation in Simikot. Representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot are personally in touch with all stranded pilgrims to extend all support and ensure availability of food and water.
Tour operators have been told to accord 1st priority in clearing up situation in Hilsa,most infrastructure lean place in the area. Mission is trying to press in services of Nepal Army choppers,which have superior abilities of operating in difficult terrain:Indian Embassy in Nepal
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2018
The Embassy is also looking into various alternative routes for evacuation despite rough weather conditions. A heli-evacuation is also being considered for critical cases, the CMO source added.
There are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa & another 500 more in Tibet side. Mission has asked all tour operators to try & hold pilgrims back in Tibet side as far as possible since medical&civic facilities on Nepal side are inadequate: Indian Embassy in Nepal
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2018
Thousands of Indian pilgrims take part in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra every year via Nepal in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China ahead of the monsoon season.
Indian Embassy in Nepal's hot line for pilgrims&their family members:+977-9851107006,+977-9851155007,+977-9851107021, +977-9818832398. Hotline to contact language speaking staff: Kannada- +977-9823672371, Telugu- +977-9808082292, Tamil- +977-9808500642, Malayalam- +977-9808500644
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2018
Every year, the tour is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs between June and September in cooperation with the government of China.
The tour is carried out through two different routes - Lipulekh Pass via Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass via Sikkim.
(With inputs from ANI)