Good Governance · Nepal

Evacuation efforts for Indians, Stranded In Nepal

Anupam Pandey

In response to the humanitarian situation arising out of stranding of pilgrims in Hilsa and Simikot (both lean on boarding/lodging/medical infrastructure), Mission mounted a rescue operation to evacuate all pilgrims to Nepalganj. At the outset it may be noted that Mission had placed one representative each in Nepalganj and Simikot to cater to any kinds of emergency since May, 2018.

NOTE: It may be noted that Mission has not distinguished between Indian nationals and Indian origin nationals during the evacuation and has evacuated people of other nationalities as well.

First Update on July 3, 2018:

Indian Pilgrims stranded at Simikot/Hilsa, Nepal. Embassy is continuously monitoring the weather situation for early evacuation. Indian Embassy in Nepal has pressed in service of a medical personnel to do check up & medical aid of pilgrims stranded in Simikot. The pilgrims who were on pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar have been stranded in Simikot due to inclement weather condition in the area. Helpline Numbers shared as well.

Update from EAM Smt. Sushma Swaraj:

In Simikot a health check up has been done on all the elderly pilgrims. They are being provided required medical help. Embassy representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot, who are personally in touch with each and every stranded pilgrim. The representatives are ensuring that proper food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims.

Update from Nepal Government Twitter Handle:

Update from “Indian Embassy-Nepal”:

Update from “PMO-India” Twitter Handle:

Update from Official (Nepal Embassy in India):

11 Small Size Helicopters in Operation. Stranded Pilgrims being evacuated to Simikot i.e. District HQ (2900 Meter Height) from Hilsa (3600 Meter Height). “ROUTE : Starts from Nepalganj (via Helicopter)-Simikot (District HQ)-Hilsa-Kailash Mansarovar”.

Update from Tour Operator “Sankara Yatra:

We sent 230 people for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal. Currently 70 people are at Simikot and 40 at Hilsa, they are being evacuated. 120 people who went via land route will return to Kathmandu later today: Yamini, Manager (SY)

Update from Shri Ghanshyam Acharya (Sita Air):

Status Update at 5 PM from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

Update from Shri Rabindra Adhikari (Minister for Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation-Government of Nepal):

Status Update at 9 PM from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

Regional Updates about Help-desk Centers:

Embassy & District Administration Bahraich established Help Desk in Nepalganj. District Administration Lucknow and Railways have help desk at Lucknow Railway Station. After evacuation, pilgrims (from Nepalgunj) proceed to Lucknow via Bahraich (UP).

Update on July 4,2018:

Good News about Perfect weather, evacuation gets speed. Sita Air, Nepal Army Helicopter, Local Authorities, Admin and Nepal Govt in coordination with Embassy providing all possible help.

Update from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

5 commercial flights and one Nepal Army chopper operated transporting 96 Indian stranded pilgrims from Simikot to Surkhet as the weather condition in Nepalgunj is bad. On Hilsa-Simikot route 3 Nepal Army chopper operated.

Update from Joint Secretary (Tourism Ministry,Nepal):

Bad Weather made impact on Evacuation:

Update from Shri Rabindra Adhikari (Minister for Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation-Government of Nepal):

Update from Shri Ghanshyam Acharya (Sita Air):

Update from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

Update from Nepal Government Twitter Handle:

Update from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

Update from Shri Ghanshyam Acharya (Sita Air):

Received updates (about their family members) and feedback (about efforts for evacuation and Medical/Food Facilities for Stranded) from Indian Citizens as well.

Update from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

Update from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal:

Update at 9 PM Official (Indian Embassy in Nepal):

17 flights, 3 Army choppers & 1 chartered small chopper operated for evacuation of 336 Indians from Simikot to Surkhet & Nepalganj. People evacuated to Surkhet were provided buses for Nepalganj. 50 sorties took place between Hilsa & Simikot, evacuated 250 people.

Thanks to Civil Operators, Nepal Army, Indian Embassy, Both Governments and others:

Simikot is a District HQ, so there’s no problem there. But, Hilsa is on an altitude of over 11,000 ft. It is located on the Nepal-China border. Civil operators are evacuating people from Hilsa to Simikot.

Good News on July 5, 2018 at 8:30 AM from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

Evacuation in Full swing. 10 commercial flights operated taking 143 pilgrims from Simikot to Nepalgunj.

Revised Advisory for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal: 

Indian citizens travelling for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) through Nepal may note these guidelines => Click Here

Efforts : After Evacuation, Bus facilities were made available at Surkhet to ferry pilgrims to Nepalgunj and then (from Nepalgunj) proceed to Lucknow via Bahraich (UP). District Administration Lucknow and Railways have help desk at Lucknow Railway Station

‘Word of Thanks’ from citizens receiving help and then reach their respective destination after evacuation:

Update from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

Update on July 6, 2018:

Evacuation process is almost over and we are in total control: Pranav Ganesh, First Secretary (Consular), Embassy of India in Nepal on Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims who were stranded in Nepal

Many thanks to Uttar Pradesh Government and DM-Bahraich For their support. Pilgrims (from Kailash Mansarovar Yatra) rescued from Simikot to Surkhet Airport (Nepal) by Nepal Army helicopters & sent to Nepalganj by Indian Embassy & UPSRTC

Update from Shri Ghanshyam Acharya (Sita Air):

Update from Indian Embassy (Nepal):

Update from Sankara Yatra:

On 03-07-2018 : All Yatrees who have gone to Kailash Manasarovar from Sankara Yatra are safe in Hilsa and Simikot with all facilities including food, water and medical care. All Yatrees are in good health. Presently 40 Yatrees are in Hilsa and 70 Yatrees in Simikot. They will take the helicopter/flight from their respective places to their destinations once the weather is fine to travel.

Happy Journey and “Word of Thanks:

In response to the humanitarian situation arising out of stranding of pilgrims in Hilsa & Simikot (both lean on boarding/lodging/medical infrastructure), Mission mounted a rescue operation to evacuate pilgrims to Nepalganj. For Summary Report Click Here

Update on July 7, 2018 (from Indian Embassy in Nepal):

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