The Tourist Search, Rescue, Treatment, and Monitoring Directive Committee has called upon local governments and umbrella organizations in the private tourism sector to assist in immediate rescue operations for tourists affected by natural disasters.
At a meeting held today, chaired by Director General Dr. Narayan Prasad Regmi of the Tourism Department, the committee decided to request the Ministry of Health and Population to facilitate the treatment and medical assistance for tourists caught in disasters.
Furthermore, the committee decided to urgently request the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to grant helicopter flight permissions from Tribhuvan International Airport for the aerial rescue of tourists currently stranded in the Manaslu and Solukhumbu regions.
According to Senior Director Nandini Lahe Thapa of the Nepal Tourism Board, it was also agreed that an immediate monitoring mission, led by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, would be dispatched to assess the situation of tourists in the Manaslu and Solukhumbu regions.
The committee expressed gratitude to the agencies and individuals who contributed to the search and rescue operations for tourists affected by the heavy rainfall on Ashwin 11 and 12.
Additionally, the committee noted that the process of obtaining flight permissions for rescue operations, particularly in restricted areas, is currently cumbersome and time-consuming. As a result, the committee decided to submit a formal request to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to streamline the approval process and review the regulations concerning restricted areas.
This announcement highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of tourists in disaster-affected areas and calls for enhanced coordination between government and private sectors.
