KATHMANDU: Some 130 trekkers marooned after an avalanche swept a popular trekking route at the Annapurna region have been safely rescued and brought to Chumrung and Pokhara of Gandaki Province on Sunday.
Similarly, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Pokhara Chapter has rescued a Chinese trekker, Zhang Ying, and a trekking guide Jagadish Khatri, who were also hit by the avalanche were rescued and taken to Phewa City Hospital, Pokhara for treatment.
It is difficult to locate the whereabouts of the trekkers in Nepal owing to the lack of proper tracking systems. However, trekkers are compulsorily required to obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and the Trekkers’ Information Management Systems – TIMS Card.
TIMS Card is issued by the TAAN for trekkers send by trekking agencies whereas Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) issues a permit to an individual trekker.
This, in turn, makes it difficult for the authorities to locate the exact place of the trekkers, Damodar Dhakal, Secretary at TAAN told Khabarhub. “However, we are trying our best to rescue them,” he said.
Heavy snowfall and avalanches have hindered the efforts to rescue and save seven trekkers including four South Korean nationals who have gone out of contact after an avalanche hit a famous trekking route in western Nepal on Friday.
Four South Korean nationals have been identified as Jeong Pil Bong, Lee Min Su, Choi Hyowon and, Kim Sookja while three Nepalis have been identified as Saroj Pariyar, Chhiring Bhote and Min Bahadur Lama.
Nepal’s Department of Tourism official Meera Acharya told Khabarhub that a rescue team heading to the Annapurna region has returned due to continuous avalanches and snowfall.
Meanwhile, four Chinese trekkers who had gone missing in the Manang district have been rescued.
They have been identified as Whang Ehin (passport: EG 112962), Chhath Sthau (passport: EO 5256480), Ma Quoyanli (passport: EC 346710) and Nbadd Jad (passport: E 6687005).
The trekkers had taken permits for Thongla Pass from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project at Nisyang rural municipality-9 in Manang on January 12.
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