Surkhet, December 16

Twelve people of Dhipugaun, Tila Rural Municipality-9 in Jumla district, are missing in Shera Phulbari highland meadows. They had gone there to collect herbs and have been out of contact for the past four days, Tila Rural Municipality-9 Ward Chair Sher Bahadur Bohara said.

Shera Phulbari is two days’ trek from Dhipugaun. “They had gone to the alpine meadows to collect medicinal herbs such as Setak Chini, Bhutle, Dhupi and Padamchal. But they went out of contact from the day they left for the highland,” he said.

According to him, those gone missing include Dhan Bahadur Bohara, Narabir Bohara, Tula Bohara, Nanilal Rawat, Surya Rawat, Chhabiraj Bohara, Janga Rawat, Suma Bahadur Bohara, Mana Maya Bohara, Reshma Bohara, Lauri Bohara and Kalpana Bohora of Dhipu village.

Jumla Assistant Chief District Officer Devendra Shrestha said 26-year-old Bin Bahadur Bohara of Dhipu-9, who had returned home with herbs from Shera highland, died. He used to transport goods with the help of mules. Shrestha said Bin Bahadur Bohara died due to hypothermia at a place called Neta at Tila Rural Municipality-6. However, four other herders who returned with him are in good health.

The locals have urged the local administration and the government to assist in the rescue of the missing as the highland area is inaccessible due to heavy snowfall. According to them, there is no alternative to rescuing them by helicopter.

Assistant Chief District Officer Shrestha said a letter has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for rescuing the missing persons.