VIJAYAWADA: The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year has been particularly gruelling this year, with severe weather conditions making it impossible for the pilgrims to complete the yatra. As many as 104 stranded pilgrims were shifted from Hilsa to Simikota by helicopters. Two died at the camp. Helicopters are being sent to the camp with medicines and food.
Collector B. Lakshmi Kantham has been giving updates about the status of the pilgrims at Hilsa of Nepal. As soon as the weather allows, they will be shifted to Simikota immediately, he said. The AP Bhavan officials are coordinating with the Indian Embassy at Nepal, he said. According to Mr B. Lakshmi Kantham, all the Telugu pilgrims are safe at the Hilsa camp but suffering from the weather conditions. Meanwhile Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu has inquired about the rescue efforts taken by the Indian Embassy at Nepal.
Embassy of India, Kathmandu is monitoring the situation along the Nepalganj-Simikot-Hilsa route of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. As on the morning of Jul 3, the weather situation remains inclement and there is very little chance of operating evacuation flights. They are expecting that, by Wednesday, the weather will be cleared and all the pilgrims will be shifted.
As per the latest information available, there are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 more on the Tibet side. The Embassy has placed its representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot, and are personally in touch with each and every stranded pilgrim. The representatives are ensuring that proper food and lodging facilities are available for all the pilgrims. Mr Lakshmi Kantham has informed about a hotline set up for information on Telugu pilgrims. Mr Pindi Naresh Hotline Number +977-9808082292.
