A bus carrying pilgrims from Gorkha to Gosaikunda has gone out of contact in the Dobhan area of Rasuwa, raising concern over the condition of the passengers onboard. Seven people reportedly managed to save themselves by jumping from the bus after flooding occurred, while the whereabouts and condition of the remaining passengers have not yet been confirmed.
Bus Loses Contact During Pilgrimage Journey
The incident was reported after the bus travelling from Naukhor in Palungtar Municipality 5, Gorkha, towards the Gosaikunda pilgrimage site became unreachable in the vicinity of Dobhan in Rasuwa. The bus, bearing registration number Ga 2 Kha 1152, was carrying local residents who had travelled from Gorkha as part of a pilgrimage group. Ward Chairman Deepak Pandey of Palungtar 5 confirmed that the bus had lost contact, although details regarding the exact circumstances and its current location remain unclear.
According to Pandey, the pilgrims from the area had travelled towards Gosaikunda in a group using two micro buses and one bus. The journey was part of a local pilgrimage to the revered Gosaikunda religious site, which attracts large numbers of pilgrims during the Janai Purnima period. The sudden loss of communication with one of the vehicles has created uncertainty, particularly because authorities and relatives have not yet been able to establish contact with everyone travelling on the bus.
Seven Passengers Escape As Floodwaters Rise
The situation became particularly alarming when seven passengers reportedly jumped from the bus and managed to save their lives after flooding occurred. Ward Chairman Pandey said those individuals later made contact and informed local authorities that they had escaped from the vehicle by jumping out when the situation became dangerous.
However, the total number of people travelling on the bus has not yet been confirmed, leaving uncertainty over how many passengers may still be unaccounted for. The fact that seven passengers were able to escape provides some information about the incident, but it has also intensified concern about those who remain unreachable. Local residents said attempts to establish telephone contact with other passengers have so far been unsuccessful.
Uncertainty Grows Over Remaining Passengers
With communication still unavailable, the condition and whereabouts of the other passengers remain unknown. Local authorities and residents are awaiting further information to determine whether the bus itself was affected by floodwaters or whether the passengers were forced to abandon it because of dangerous conditions along the route.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about travel conditions in mountainous areas during the monsoon season, when heavy rainfall, flooding and unstable road conditions can create serious risks for vehicles travelling through remote sections. As authorities work to establish the exact situation in Dobhan, families and local residents remain anxious for confirmation about the safety of everyone who was travelling on the pilgrimage bus.
Gosaikunda Pilgrimage Meets Monsoon Travel Risks
The incident comes during a period when Gosaikunda sees a significant increase in pilgrimage travel, with devotees from different parts of Nepal making their way towards the high-altitude religious destination. While the pilgrimage holds major religious and cultural importance, monsoon-related hazards along mountain roads can make journeys particularly challenging and unpredictable.
Further details about the bus, the number of passengers onboard, and the condition of those who remain out of contact are awaited. Until communication is restored and the situation is verified, the safety of the remaining pilgrims remains the central concern for their families, local authorities and the wider community.
