JUMLA, Nov 1: Six Indian tourists, including two women, have gone missing after heavy snowfall in the high Himalayan region of Dolpa.
The tourists were travelling from the Dho area of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality towards Shey Phoksundo Lake when they went missing in the Numa La and Bagala La pass areas, between wards 4 and 8 of Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality.
Local guides suspect the tourists may have been stranded in the snow after Cyclone Arnab, which developed over the Bay of Bengal, triggered heavy snowfall in the Himalayan region. Locals had warned them against crossing the mountain passes because of the risks posed by the snowfall, but they reportedly continued their journey. Authorities suspect contact was lost as the group became trapped in deep snow while returning.
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Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal (Dhakal) said the tourists went missing while travelling back from Dho towards Phoksundo Lake. She said they had proceeded despite warnings from local residents about the dangerous conditions. A Nepal Army team has been deployed to locate them, Hamal said.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Anilraj Giri said the six Indian tourists had yet to be contacted. Authorities have requested the relevant agencies to arrange a helicopter for the search and rescue operation, he said.
Adverse weather and heavy snowfall have made search and rescue efforts in the high mountain region difficult.
The missing group comprises two women and four men. According to the District Administration Office, 244 tourists are currently in Upper Dolpa. Of them, 149 are Nepali, 44 are from SAARC countries and 51 are nationals of other countries. The administration has urged tourists to avoid travelling through dangerous areas in bad weather and remain in safe locations.
Shey Phoksundo Lake has been attracting an increasing number of visitors. A total of 4,882 tourists visited the lake in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year, 2025/26.
