98 tourists in Manaslu safe; Chum Valley trek suspended
GORKHA:- The Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) has stated that tourists trekking in the Manaslu region, affected by flooding in the Budhigandaki River, are safe. On Sunday, 87 tourists who had reached the Chum Valley in Manaslu faced difficulties due to a flood in the Budhigandaki River originating from the Ungilung Khola in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-6.
Bhuwanraj Ojha, Information Officer at MCAP, stated that all those tourists are safe. According to him, the 98 tourists and 73 guides and porters stranded at the entry point of the Manaslu region are also safe. However, the project reports that the floods have damaged the Manaslu trekking trail.
MCAP has announced the temporary suspension of trekking in the Chum Valley. The trekking route to the valley was obstructed after a flood washed away the cantilever bridge at Sardibhir in Lokpa, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6. Ojha, the Information Officer at MCAP, stated that the trail has sustained damage in most sections along the route from Machhakhola in Dharche Rural Municipality to Jagat in Chumnubri.
He informed that trekkers wishing to reach Samagaun have the option of traveling directly to Philim by helicopter. According to Ojha, the trekking route from Philim to Larkya Pass is open and safe; however, the trails from Machhakhola to Jagat and the route via Salleri have been damaged. The project has stated that it is coordinating with the concerned authorities to reconstruct the damaged trails.
