Kathmandu
The Indian embassy in Kathmandu has geared up the machinery to rescue a total of 1,575 pilgrims to Mansarovar who are stranded in Nepal and Tibet side because of the inclement weather.
According to the Indian embassy sources, it has pressed seven commercial flights in the rescue operation and has been able to transport 104 pilgrims to Nepalgunj, a safer transit point, from Simikot in far western Nepal bordering Tibet.
“There are now 550 pilgrims stranded in Hilsa, 421 in Simikot, on the Nepal side, and another 500 in Tibet. “As we are busy shifting the pilgrims stranded in Nepal side, we have advised those in Tibet side to remain there as there are better facilities,” an Indian embassy official involved in the operation told ENS.
“Embassy of India, Kathmandu is continuously monitoring the situation along Nepalganj-Simikot-Hilsa route of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (through Nepal). As of Jul 3rd morning, the weather situation remains inclement and there is very little chance of operating evacuation flights,” an embassy release said.
The release said the embassy has deployed 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.
The representative in Simikot has pressed into service available medical practitioners in Simikot to get a health check-up done for all elderly pilgrims. In case of any medical complication, they are being given preventive medication and medical counselling of dos and don’ts.
The Embassy representative in Simikot is also in touch with police authorities at police check post in Hilsa and requested them 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 the situation in Hilsa, which is the most infrastructure lean place in the area,” the release said.
The Embassy has set up a hotline for pilgrims and their family members with information and communication facilities in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam assigning following officials on duty.
1. PRANAV GANESH, FIRST SECRETARY (CONSULAR) – +977-9851107006
2. TASHI KHAMPA, SECOND SECRETARY (CONSULAR) – +977-9851155007
3. TARUN RAHEJA, ATTACHE (CONSULAR) – +977-9851107021
4. RAJESH JHA, ASO (COMMUNITY WELFARE) – +977-9818832398, +977-9851165140
5. YOGANANDA (HOTLINE – KANNADA) – +977-9823672371
6. PINDI NARESH (HOTLINE – TELUGU) – +977-9808082292
7. R MURUGAN (HOTLINE – TAMIL) – +977-9808500642
8. C RANJITH (HOTLINE – MALAYALAM) – +977-9808500644
