Better weather helps evacuation of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims

Evacuation of stranded Indian pilgrims from Nepal's mountainous region of Hilsa and Simikot en route to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra picked up momentum today with improvement in weather.
The External Affairs Ministry, citing details given by Indian embassy in Kathmandu, said 23 flights operated on Nepalgunj-Simikot sector and 27 chopper flights operated on Simikot-Hilsa sector today.
Around 500 Indian pilgrims were stranded in Hilsa and Simikot due to inclement weather yesterday.
"First Secretary (Consular) Pranav Ganesh visited Hilsa today. He met district civilian and police officers and saw logistics available at Simikot and Hilsa. While Simikot has accommodation available for around 400 persons, Hilsa has no facility for more than 150 or so," the MEA said.

There is zero pendency at Hilsa while at Simikot, there is normal flow to and from Hilsa, it said, adding, "If the weather remains clear, the situation would remain normal. But in case of weather deteriorating, backlog would build up again.