Six Indian tourists, including two women, have gone missing in Nepal’s Dolpa district after heavy snowfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab disrupted travel across the Himalayan region.
The tourists reportedly went missing between Num La Pass and Bagala Pass, located between wards 4 and 8 of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality, while travelling from Dho towards Phoksundo Lake.
Local guides suspect the group may have become stranded in deep snow following heavy snowfall caused by Cyclone Arnab, which developed over the Bay of Bengal and has affected weather conditions across the Himalayan region.
According to Dolpa Chief District Officer Junu Hamal, the tourists were returning from Dho towards Phoksundo Lake when they encountered difficult conditions. Despite warnings from local residents about the dangers of crossing the mountain passes amid heavy snowfall, the group reportedly proceeded with their journey.
Dhaw Samduk Gurung, chairperson of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality, said the area between the two passes has no mobile network coverage, making it difficult to establish contact with the missing tourists or determine their whereabouts.
244 Tourists in Upper Dolpa
According to the District Administration Office, a total of 244 tourists have travelled to Upper Dolpa. Of them, 149 are Nepali nationals, 44 are from SAARC countries, and 51 are other foreign nationals.
Amid deteriorating weather conditions, the district administration has urged tourists to avoid risky areas and remain in safe locations.
Phoksundo Lake has continued to attract visitors in recent years. During the first 11 months of the fiscal year 2025/26 (2082/83 BS), a total of 4,882 tourists visited the lake.
Helicopter Requested for Search and Rescue
Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Raj Giri confirmed that the six Indian tourists remain out of contact. Authorities have requested the concerned agencies to arrange a helicopter to support search and rescue operations.
A Nepal Army team has also been deployed to help locate and rescue the missing tourists, according to Chief District Officer Hamal.
However, heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions are making search and rescue operations difficult in the high-altitude region.
With limited communication facilities and deep snow covering the mountain passes, authorities have yet to establish the exact whereabouts or condition of the six tourists.
