Pokhara, Sept 28: Search operations resumed early Monday for people who remain unaccounted for after an avalanche struck Himlung Himal in Manang on Sunday. Helicopters have been deployed while rescue teams are conducting searches on the ground.
Although initial reports said 10 people were missing following the avalanche, authorities said the exact number has yet to be confirmed.
Two bodies recovered from the avalanche site on Sunday were brought to Chame and preparations are now underway to fly them to Kathmandu, Manang Assistant Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Poudel said
“A three-member rescue team was left at the site on Sunday. They recovered the two bodies. Three more rescuers have already flown to the area by helicopter this morning,” Poudel said. “The search resumed early today.”
Experienced mountain guides have been deployed for the operation. Poudel said weather conditions have improved significantly, which should make search and rescue operations easier.
He also said 11 people who had earlier been reported out of contact had walked to Phu village and reached safety.
However, authorities still do not have a confirmed figure for the number of people missing. Poudel said conflicting figures have been reported since the avalanche.
According to him, the weather over Manang has now cleared completely, with virtually no cloud cover, improving conditions for aerial and ground search operations. A Prabhu Air helicopter is being used in the rescue and search mission.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway to transport the two bodies recovered on Sunday to Kathmandu by helicopter.
The avalanche struck Himlung Himal in Ward 5 of Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality on Sunday. Himlung Himal, located in the Nar Phu region of Manang, rises to an elevation of 7,126 metres.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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