KATHMANDU, July 3: Efforts to rescue more than 1,500 Indian pilgrims from Nepalganj-Simikot-Hilsa route of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (through Nepal) has been affected due to inclement weather conditions, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of India.
Around 525 pilgrims are stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 more in Tibet side, according to data maintained by the Indian Embassy.
Stranded 1,225 Indian pilgrims airlifted to Nepalgunj, Surkhet
“We have placed its representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot, who are personally in touch with each and every stranded pilgrim. The representatives are ensuring that proper food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims,” a press release issued by the Embassy said adding that the Embassy representative in Simikot is also in touch with police authorities at police check post in Hilsa. The police authorities have been requested to take care of all the pilgrims and ensure best possible assistance to them.
The Embassy has asked all tour operators to try and hold pilgrims back in Tibet side as far as possible since the medical and civic facilities on Nepal side are inadequate. They have further been told to accord first priority in clearing up situation in Hilsa, which is the most infrastructure lean place in the area.
The Embassy is looking at various alternatives for evacuating stranded pilgrims from Simikot, including searching for alternative routes (Simikot-Surkhet/Simikot-Jumla/Simikot-Mugu). All these routes, however, appear to be as difficult as Simikot-Nepalganj. The Embassy is also trying to press in services of Nepal Army helicopters for evacuation.
