Tourists Stranded in Manang as Floods, Snowfall Disrupt Annapurna Circuit

Tourists visiting the Annapurna Circuit have been stranded in Manang district following incessant rainfall that triggered flooding in lower Manang and heavy snowfall in upper Manang.

According to Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, Chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) unit in Manang, tourists in both upper and lower Manang have been unable to continue their journey.

Some tourists attempting to cross the Thorong La Pass have also returned due to heavy snowfall, Bhujel said. “Some 226 foreign tourists have been registered in upper Manang, while 44 have returned. More than 150 tourists attempting to cross the Thorong La Pass have returned due to heavy snowfall,” Bhujel informed.

He said all tourists currently in Manang are safe. However, tourists who have fallen ill and those whose visas have expired have been evacuated by helicopter, he added. Other tourists attempting to cross the Pass have been allowed to proceed, with helicopter evacuation available from Mustang if necessary. Meanwhile, ACAP tourism education assistant Bhupendra Gurung mentioned that 590 foreign tourists were registered at the Dharapani checkpoint from September 22 to 28. Of them, 146 have returned due to rain, floods and landslides, he said.

Flood and river erosion have washed away sections of roads at several places, disrupting transportation. Alternative tracks are being constructed but transporting heavy equipment to the affected areas remains a challenge. (RSS)