The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has urgently requested its member trekking agencies to provide information about foreign tourists and trekking support staff affected by the Budhi Gandaki River disaster on October 11, 2026. This information is needed to help with rescue, evacuation and emergency operations for those affected by the incident. The request comes as tourism authorities and industry groups work together to identify people who need assistance and support in the aftermath of the disaster.
The request followed a coordination meeting chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel on October 12. In addition to the ministry, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), TAAN and the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) were represented at the meeting, where the need to collect information about affected tourists and trekking staff was discussed. TAAN President Sagar Pandey signed the request, asking member agencies for cooperation. The letter does not indicate a confirmed number of affected people or completed rescue operations.
TAAN Requests Agencies to Identify Foreign Tourists Aiding Rescue Operations
In its request, TAAN has asked member trekking agencies to identify foreign tourists who have been affected by the disaster and to provide their complete names, nationalities and passport copies. Furthermore, the agencies must provide a copy of the tourists’ insurance policies to establish the relevant details for rescue coordination. The association has emphasized the need for rapid information collection to enable the responsible authorities and tourism organizations to obtain a clearer picture of the scope of assistance.
In addition to foreign tourists, trekking support staff such as guides and other workers who may have been affected should also be reported. In this context, TAAN has asked the agencies to provide the names, contact numbers and copies of the relevant identification documents such as guide licences or citizenship certificates of the affected staff. Furthermore, it must be stated where exactly rescue assistance is needed and who is the contact person for the agencies on site.
How Can Travel Agencies Submit Tourist and Staff Information
To ensure rapid information exchange, agencies should forward the requested information and documents to TAAN’s official e-mail address, [email protected] , or via WhatsApp at 9843687548. Furthermore, the trekking agencies should ensure that the information provided is complete and correct, especially with regard to the specified details. In this way, the association will be able to identify the people affected as quickly as possible and coordinate the appropriate response.
In particular, the cooperation of the trekking agencies is crucial, as they may have the most comprehensive insight into the people and staff affected. By collecting this information and submitting it to TAAN, the affected trekking agencies can contribute to the rescue coordination in the affected area. The letter does not mention a deadline for submitting the information or further procedural steps.
Tourism Authorities Coordinate Rescue Operations for Budhi Gandaki Disaster
The fact that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, NTB, TAAN and NATTA were involved in the coordination of the response to the disaster shows the high level of importance given to the situation. The collection of verified data about affected tourists and trekking staff, including insurance details, is a key factor in clarifying the extent of the needs of the affected persons and the coordination of the necessary assistance.
The request from TAAN emphasizes the expectation of cooperation from the trekking agencies and does not confirm the number of people affected by the disaster or the completion of rescue and evacuation measures. In any case, further verified information from the responsible authorities will be necessary to obtain a final figure for the number of people in need of assistance. In the meantime, however, TAAN is calling on trekking agencies to provide the requested information to the association as soon as possible.
