Army promptly rescue trekkers in Mustang

By Hari Krishna Sharma,Muktinath, Nov. 12: Manish Jaisi of Majhphant, Jaljala Rural Municipality–3 in Parbat, and Santosh Kunwar of Myagdi were rescued by a team of the Nepali Army’s Indrabox Battalion from the Bherol area of Baragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality–5 on November 5 and handed over to their families.

The two who had returned from a trip to Dolpa via Mustang had gone missing from Mulung in Chharka Tangsong Rural Municipality–1, Dolpa. After receiving the reports of their disappearance, the District Administration Office (DAO) immediately convened a meeting of the security committee.

As rescue on foot was impossible, the two young men trapped in the snow were airlifted by helicopter within six hours of the report being received. Meanwhile, a team of trained rescuers rescued 15 tourists, including three British women trekkers stranded in the Mustang region while attempting to circle Mt. Dhaulagiri, last Thursday, from Thasang Rural Municipality–1, at an altitude of about 4,000 metres above sea level.

The group had faced difficulties while descending towards Marpha in Gharapjhong Rural Municipality–2, following the Dhaulagiri trekking route via the 5,100-metre-high pass between Dhaulagiri—the world’s seventh-highest peak—and Sita Himal through Tukche Peak. 

Similarly, when a 14-member team, including three Austrian tourists heading towards the Saribung Pass, got stranded, the District Security Committee immediately mobilised various mechanisms for their rescue.

On October 27, a rescue team successfully evacuated an adventurous group travelling through the snow-covered ridges and risky cliffs between the Damodarkunda region and the Nar–Phu valley of Manang District from Yara, Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda–4. 

To assess the landslide-blocked Narsingh stream area at Tethang in Baragung Muktichhetra–3, an advance team from the Nepali Army conducted a drone survey. In total, 24 security personnel—11 from the Nepali Army, 11 from the Armed Police Force, and two from Nepal Police—worked on site to avert potential risks.

According to the DAO Mustang, effective coordination among the security agencies, preparedness, adequate equipment, and trained rescue personnel have ensured efficient rescue operations for both domestic and foreign tourists stranded in high Himalayan regions due to adverse weather conditions.

Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Bhusal stated that, based on early warnings from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, regular meetings, manpower and equipment readiness, identification and monitoring of high-risk areas, and community-level awareness campaigns have been implemented. 

“We have our own preparedness model. Since we have personnel who have climbed high peaks, we have been able to prevent human casualties,” Bhusal said.

The DAO, through the Security Committee, mobilises teams according to the level of risk, Bhusal added. Information is collected from all five local levels, down to the ward level, for preparedness activities.

With the presence of the Nepali Army’s High Altitude Training Centre in Mustang—comprising trained personnel who have summited peaks such as Everest, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri—rescue operations in the high mountains have become more efficient. 

Experienced personnel are also deployed to assist those affected by road blockages or altitude sickness.

Karma Ghyacho Gurung, Chairperson of Ward No. 4 of Baragung Muktichhetra, said that effective coordination between the DAO and security agencies has made it easier to clear blocked road networks and conduct rescues. According to him, tourists stranded along the Kagbeni–Korala road section were rescued even at midnight with the help of security forces upon the request of local representatives.

In Mustang, the DAO, the Nepali Army’s High Altitude Training Centre and Indrabox Battalion, the Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police regularly hold preparedness meetings and conduct joint drills for disaster response.