Banking News – With the flood in the Budhi Gandaki River this morning damaging the trekking route, tourists who had set out to trek the Manaslu Conservation Area in Gorkha have been unable to reach their destination and are stranded midway. According to Bhuvanraj Ojha, Conservation Officer of the Manaslu Conservation Area Project, all tourists are in safe locations and efforts are underway for their rescue.

He stated that more than 100 foreign tourists have been stranded at Jagat in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-3, considered the entry point to the Manaslu Conservation Area.

“Ninety-eight foreign tourists had entered the conservation area on Saturday, and other tourists who had reached Jagat by night are staying there safely,” Conservation Officer Ojha said. “Efforts are underway for rescue by helicopter.”

Tourist movement has been obstructed as the flood damaged the main trekking route to Manaslu, suspension bridges, and other structures. He stated that 17 tourists are also waiting for rescue at Lokpa in Chumanubri-6. Similarly, Conservation Officer Ojha stated that 40 tourists are in Chekampart in the Chum Valley area.

Since porters and guides along with foreign tourists have also been stranded midway, coordination is underway with local levels and security agencies to safely transport them to their destinations, according to Krishnaprasad Acharya, President of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki.

“Statistics are being collected on how many tourists are in the Manaslu Conservation Area, and efforts are underway to ensure their rescue and safe movement,” he said. “Natural disaster incidents occurring during the main tourist season have affected the tourism sector.”