Summary of Efforts made (till July 5, 2018 at 6 PM IST):
In response to the humanitarian situation arising out of stranding of pilgrims in Hilsa and Simikot (both lean on boarding/lodging/medical infrastructure), Mission mounted a rescue operation to evacuate all pilgrims to Nepalganj. The salient features are –
In Simikot a health check up has been done on all the elderly pilgrims. They are being provided required medical help. Embassy representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot, who are personally in touch with each and every stranded pilgrim. The representatives are ensuring that proper food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims.
At the outset it may be noted that Mission had placed one representative each in Nepalganj and Simikot to cater to any kinds of emergency since May, 2018.
July 2nd – In the morning, Mission representative conducted a head count and found that 437 pilgrims were stranded in Simikot and 250 pilgrims were stranded in Hilsa. The Mission representatives organized a medical checkup of all elderly/ailing pilgrims to ensure their well being and established contacts with most of them to assure them that Mission was aware of the situation and would take necessary action for their rescue. It also urged all tour operators to keep their pilgrim batches in Tibet so that the crisis is not exacerbated due to returning pilgrims.
Mission formed a 8-member multilingual control room, which catered to queries regarding the stranded pilgrims in Hindi/English/Tamil/Telugu/Kannada/Malayalam language speakers
At the end of the day, Mission’s headcount revealed 525 pilgrims in Simikot and 550 pilgrims in Hilsa.
July 3rd – Owing to slight improvement in weather, Mission operated 10 fixed wing flights and two small chartered helicopters to evacuate 158 pilgrims from Simikot to Nepalganj. It also evacuated mortal remains of two pilgrims (one died in Simikot during stranding, and another died in Tibet and brought to Simikot) to Kathmandu and Nepalganj respectively.
Separately, it operated 30 sorties between Hilsa and Simikot and evacuated 150 pilgrims from Hilsa to Simikot, latter being much better equipped viz. infrastructure.
Due to mission’s liaison with tour agencies, as well as Ministry’s support viz. extension of Chinese visa, a large number of incoming pilgrims were retained in Tibet and only 51 pilgrims entered Hilsa from Tibet.
Mission also dispatched a four member team to Nepalganj for establishing camp offices in Simikot, Surkhet and Hilsa to assist pilgrims.
At the end of the day, Mission’s headcount revealed 629 pilgrims in Simikot and 451 pilgrims in Hilsa.
July 4th – Owing to further improvement in weather, Mission operated 17 fixed wing flights, three Nepal Army helicopter sorties, one small helicopter sortie to evacuate 336 pilgrims from Simikot to Surkhet (owing to bad weather in Nepalganj). Further, the Mission operated 11 buses to ferry these 336 pilgrims from Surkhet to Nepalganj by road.
Separately, it operated 50 sorties between Hilsa and Simikot and evacuated 250 pilgrims from Hilsa to Simikot, latter being much better equipped viz. infrastructure.
At the end of the day, Mission’s headcount revealed 643 pilgrims in Simikot and 350 pilgrims in Hilsa.
July 5th – Owing to further improvement in weather, Mission operated (by 3 pm) 26 fixed wing flights and one Nepal Army helicopter sorties to evacuate 389 pilgrims to Surkhet/Nepalganj (owning to changing weather patterns). Further, the Mission operated 7 buses to ferry all pilgrims from Surkhet to Nepalganj by road. As we speak, Mission has pressed in a private MI-16 Helicopter on charter to pull out additional 20-25 pilgrims in one sortie. The Helicopter might do two-three sorties.
Separately, it operated 55 sorties between Hilsa and Simikot and evacuated 275 pilgrims in Hilsa. The sorties between Hilsa and Simikot continue.
Mission’s camp offices became fully functional in Simikot and Surkhet. On account of sharp drop in Hilsa numbers, the camp office in Hilsa has been postponed for July 6th.
Visit : The Indian embassy in Nepal is working on the ground and assisting the pilgrims
NOTE: It may be noted that Mission has not distinguished between Indian nationals and Indian origin nationals during the evacuation and has evacuated people of other nationalities as well.
