Ongoing rescue operation in Nepal
The official said 37 people stranded in Saga, Tibet, were returning on Friday, while 105 tourists from Nagpur travelling from the Kathmandu side were also on their way back.
The official said teams from India had been sent to the affected region to help trace the missing, while the ministry of external affairs remained in close contact with authorities. Rescue operations from the Nepal side have reached some areas, but not the flood-ravaged places, he said. Vishwajeet Singh, owner of Jeet Brothers Travels and Holidays, said his company had seven group bookings for the first week of Sept and three of them had already been cancelled. We did not put too much pressure on them and have kept their bookings on hold for a later date,” Singh said.
Sixty people from the state are missing, he added. Authorities were trying to establish contact with the remaining groups. The bookings were for Lumbini, Pokhara and Kathmandu. “Passengers felt they might not be able to travel safely to Nepal and opted out.
Travel Uncertainty in Nepal Following Recent Events
As of now, there are no new bookings for travel to Nepal, according to local travel operators. Earlier trips have been completed, but the situation remains fluid.
Singh, a representative from a travel company, reported that 14 passengers who had been in Kathmandu were scheduled to fly to Pokhara when recent events occurred. To accommodate their plans, the company arranged a flight and local transportation for the remainder of their holiday.
Rishikesh Pujari, director of Vihar Travels, noted a lack of clarity regarding the extent of the damage in Nepal, which has led to uncertainty among travelers. “People who have already booked are seeking information on what to expect. It’s a wait-and-watch situation right now,” he stated.
Pujari highlighted that Nepal’s peak tourist season typically begins after the Ganapati festival, with popular destinations including Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. The current uncertainty is impacting inquiries from potential travelers who have not yet made reservations. “They may choose to change their plans or wait for more information,” he added, mentioning that his company is not actively pursuing new inquiries for Nepal at this time.