Search continues for two missing in Darchula avalanche

Darchula, May 4: Search operations continue for two who have been missing in an avalanche that took place at Chhangru of Byas municipality-1 in Darchula since Tuesday afternoon.     

The condition of Ishwari Thapa, 28 and Chhimi Somo Thapa, 15, from Doti, is still unknown. They went missing along with the other three during the avalanche that occurred on May 2.     

An Armed Police Force (APF) team has been mobilised since the morning to search for them. The avalanche on Tuesday afternoon buried tents being occupied by the groups of people temporarily residing there to collect Yarsagumba.

Chhangru-based APF Number 50 Company chief Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ishwari Dutt Bhatta, said three bodies were retrieved from the avalanche-hit area on Wednesday while two women, who are relatives, are still missing.

It may be noted that the bodies of Kamala Kunwar, 36 of Duhun rural municipality-4 and her son Praveen Kunwar, 18 and Nakki Doma Thapa, 45, of Doti were retrieved by a security team on May 3.     

Prior to this, the APF team rescued seven and reached the area to collect Yarshagumba. People from and outside the district trek to the highlands of Darchula to pick up Yarsa each year. (RSS)