MUGU: The rescue team comprising security personnel has not yet been able to reach the avalanche site for the search and rescue of those missing in the avalanche due to snowfall causing a thick pile-up of snow in the area.

Although a week has elapsed since the avalanche occurred in which three men went missing, security personnel could not reach the site as the area is covered with a layer of over 10 feet thick snow.

Also, the bad weather is impeding the search and rescue operation making it difficult for the security officials to identify the way to reach the site. According to DSP Mahesh Basnet of the District Police Office, Mugu, the security team has set up a camp at Chhapakhola near the incident site to ease the search operation.

Missing in the avalanche that occurred on May 5 were Tarasingh Sarki, Punna Sarki, and Bir Bohora of Patarashi rural municipality-2 of Talfigaun in Jumla district, according to the police.

A team of 23 people including rescuers and two relatives of the missing people were taken to the avalanche site on May 7 on a chopper of the Nepali Army for search and rescue, but the bad weather coupled with snowfall in the incident site has been hampering the rescue operation, DSP Basnet said.

Among those gone for the rescue operation, the relatives of two missing people have returned, police said. Those who had gone missing were members of a group of people who had gone to the highlands to collect the valuable herb yarsagumba.