Over thousand Indian pilgrims stranded in Julma due to bad weather
KATHMANDU, July 3: Over thousands of Kailash Mansoravar bound Indian pilgrims have been stranded in Humla district due to bad weather.
They were stranded after the flights to and fro the hilly and mountainous regions were canceled due to incessant rain and bad weather.
Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has initiated the rescue efforts.
“Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal- There are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side,” tweeted Swaraj.
“Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalgunj and Simikot. They are in touch with the pilgrims and ensuring that food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims,” she tweeted.
Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal – There are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 in Tibet side. /1 #IndiansStrandedInNepal
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 3 July 2018
Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot. They are touch with the pilgrims and ensuring that food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims. /2 #IndiansStrandedInNepal
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 3 July 2018
Swaraj further said that health camps have been set up in the Simikot for elderly pilgrims to undergo heath check-up and to provide other medical assistance.
She also said that the Indian Embassy has requested the Government of Nepal for army helicopters to evacuate the stranded Indian nationals.
According to News18, a 55-year-old pilgrim has died of cardiac arrest caused by low oxygen on Monday.
However, the evacuation has not been an option currently due to inclement weather, according to the Embassy.