Sixteen Indonesian tourists rescued by helicopter from Manang

Sixteen Indonesian tourists stranded by continuous rainfall and landslides on the Annapurna trekking route in Manang were rescued by helicopter today, Thursday, October 1, 2026. They were airlifted from the Ghetang Agro area in Nisyang Rural Municipality-1, Manang district, to Sahaji in Besisahar Municipality-7, Lamjung district.The Lamjung District Police Office confirmed the rescue operation. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jitendra Bahadur Basnet, chief of the Lamjung District Police Office, stated that the tourists were successfully brought to safety by a Dynasty Helicopter.The rescued tourists have been identified as Siti Alia Rahadiani, Araffi Anugerah Saprudin, Siti Akia Nurfadla, Aji Bagus Setiawan, Naira Haniffadila Noer Budiman, Betty Agustina Supriyatin, Meta Az Zahra Putri, Muhammad Dini Akbar, Muhammad Allam Nazhlifa, AFRL RLZKKL, Syifa Alifa Yusuf, Muhammad Rafdi Fauzan, Muman, Muhammad Khairudin, Bella Graseva Amanda Putri, and Dini Abdilah.Upon their arrival in Lamjung, the tourists departed for Pokhara in vehicles with registration numbers G1J 3740 and Ba.Pra.01-007 Kha 1680. A four-member police team from the District Police Office, led by Police Havaldar Gunj Bahadur Baram, was deployed during the rescue operation.Stranded by heavy rains and landslidesThe tourists became stranded between September 24 and 27, 2026, due to continuous rainfall that triggered multiple landslides along the Annapurna trekking route. The persistent rain also severely affected the Annapurna trekking route and the Besisahar-Chame road, making travel difficult for tourists.On September 27, 2026, a major landslide at Kharkhare Cliff in Besisahar Municipality-6 completely blocked the Besisahar-Chame road. On the same day, movement on seven national highways, including the Prithvi Highway, was halted due to floods and landslides across the country.The Meteorological Forecasting Division had predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and strong winds, in various parts of the country, particularly in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, from September 25 to 27, 2026.Ongoing challenges and official responseAs of Thursday, October 1, 2026, the impact of the weather disaster that occurred in Manang between September 24 and 28, 2026, continues. According to a Dhorpatan correspondent, there is a risk of a food crisis in Manang if road access is not restored soon.The Ministry of Home Affairs had urged the public to take necessary precautions to mitigate potential disaster risks and was preparing to instruct chief district officers in all 77 districts to enhance their preparedness and response plans. The Ministry is also prepared to halt traffic operations at the district level if the risk situation warrants it, and to make further decisions on traffic management if a nationwide impact arises.Shubharaj Neupane, spokesperson for the Department of Roads, stated that equipment and technical teams have been deployed to affected areas to clear road obstructions and restore transport services as quickly as possible. Concerned authorities have advised the public to check the latest information on road conditions and weather before traveling, to avoid forcing entry onto blocked roads, and to stay away from risky riverbanks and streams.Unanswered questionsFurther details regarding the health condition of the rescued tourists, the cost of the helicopter rescue operation, and their onward travel plans after reaching Pokhara are not yet available.