Hyderabad: Around 44 pilgrims from Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh who went to Kailash Mansarovar and were stranded at the India-China border for four days due to inclement weather have been airlifted.
The Mansarovar Yatra involves trekking at almost 19,500 feet in harsh climatic conditions and across rugged terrain.
The stranded pilgrims are part of a tour organised by a private travel agency, Southern Travels. The news of their plight came to light after a video the pilgrims recorded started being circulated on social media groups. In the video, panic-stricken pilgrims are requesting the government to intervene and provide them a helicopter for safety.
They said the female members have been badly affected by the rough weather in the absence of medical facilities. Many of them complained about breathing problems.
According to one of the pilgrims, the travel company charged them lakhs of rupees but failed to provide accommodation and proper shelter.
Explaining the steps taken to rescue the stranded pilgrims, Telangana government representative in New Delhi, Venugopal, told this newspaper that government officials have informed helicopter service to rescue them. Operations have been executed. All 44 pilgrims have been airlifted to Kathmandu and will be sent back home soon.
