Kailash Masarovar Yatra: Pilgrims advised to avoid Nepal route

Given the ongoing inclement weather in the region, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu on Thursday advised Indian pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to avoid the Nepal route.

"A large number of Indian citizens have been going under own private arrangement for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepalgunj-Simikot-Hilsa," the embassy advisory said.

"It has been noticed that a number of them are facing logistical problems in Hilsa and Simikot primarily on account of bad weather, which prevents regular evacuations from Hilsa to Simikot by helicopter and Simikot to Nepalgunj by fixed-wing aircraft," it stated.

The advisory also said that the embassy in cooperation with the Nepal government and tour operators was making all possible arrangements for timely evacuation of pilgrims from Hilsa to Simikot and from Simikot to Nepalgunj.

"However, inclement weather conditions are impeding regular air services, thereby causing difficulties for the stranded passengers at Hilsa and Simikot," the advisory said.

"Since weather conditions are expected to deteriorate in the weeks to come, Indian citizens are advised to avoid the Nepalgunj-Simikot-Hilsa route."

Addressing his weekly media briefing here on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the first secretary in the Indian embassy in Kathmandu has visited Hilsa and Simikot and coordinated with the Nepalese authorities.

"More than 400 stranded yatris have already been brought to Surkhet and Nepalgunj," Swarup said.

"As of now, there are no bottlenecks on this route."

The spokesperson said that the Ministry of Tourism has also been requested to advise tour operators in India not to overbook and to correctly brief pilgrims on the facilities available.

--IANS

ab/vt