#IndiansStrandedInNepal evacuation mission intensifies! Around 500 Kailash Mansarovar Yatris airlifted

NewsBharati    05-Jul-2018
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Simikot, July 5: Intensifying the evacuation mission of the stranded Indians in Nepal, the mission has been able to evacuate about 500 pilgrims through helicopters from Hilsa to Simikot in Kailash Mansarovar region. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj assured to avail every possible requirement to the pilgrims stranded in Nepal.

 

158 pilgrims were evacuated from Simikot on Tuesday through 10 commercial flights. 250 pilgrims were also brought to Simikot from Hilsa by helicopters. Our correspondent reports that around 1400 pilgrims are still stranded in Simikot, Hilsa and Tibet side. The flow of pilgrims from Tibet side to Hilsa was very low on Tuesday and only 51 pilgrims arrived at Hilsa.

In a series of tweets, The Indian Embassy in Nepal said that according to the Embassy of India’s official headcount, there are 643 people stranded in Simikot and 350 stranded in Hilsa. No casualty reported. It may be mentioned that the number of stranded pilgrims in resource-lean Hilsa has been drastically brought down.

With a view to expediting the evacuation process, the Embassy is also exploring the possibility of hiring chartered helicopters and operating them on various evacuation routes subject to weather condition and willingness and ability of the carrier to ply on these routes.

In a series of tweets, Swaraj said that the Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot to provide help to the stranded pilgrims at Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. "Indian Embassy in Nepal has deployed representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot. They are in touch with the pilgrims and ensuring that food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims. /2 #IndiansStrandedInNepal," Swaraj said.

The Indian Embassy has requested tour operators to hold pilgrims towards Tibet as better civic amenities are available there. The mission representatives in Simikot are taking rounds to find out any medical emergencies. A four-member team of the Embassy has arrived at Nepalgunj on its way to Simikot and Hilsa. The team will set up camp offices to provide assistance to the stranded pilgrims.