Manang. The snowfall has stopped since last Monday. Improvement in weather has made it easier for visitors visiting Tilicho Lake located at the world’s highest point (4,919 meters) and trekking to Thorangla Bhanjyang (5,416 meters).

Chief District Officer Nawaraj Poudyal said that the tourists trekking to Tilichotal of Manang Ngisyang rural municipality-9 and Thorangla Bhanjyang under Annapurna Conservation Area Project at ward no 8 have started returning home after they started trekking to Thorangla Bhanjyang. According to him, the tourists have started returning home after clearing the snow accumulated on the road since this morning.

“However, the tourists who returned from Tilicho Base Camp on Monday evening have stayed at Khangsar”, he added. Shivaraj Ghimire, a tourist who came to Tilicho Lake from Kathmandu, said that he could not reach the lake as it snowed immediately upon reaching Khangsar.

“We have reached Khangsar, it snowed as soon as we reached here and we could not reach the lake due to snowfall,” he said. Ghimire said that although the weather is becoming favourable, they are preparing to return without traveling to the upper region. He said the weather is gradually opening up from Khangsar towards the lower area and upwards towards Tilicho.

Likewise, Mohan Dhakal, a trekker to the Tilicho lake from Makawanpur, said, “We returned from Tilicho base camp and stayed at Humde. According to him, it is not easy to travel to the mountainous region without knowing the weather.

Arrangement has been made to accommodate around two hundred tourists who landed at Tilicho area on Tuesday night, said Karma Ongel Ghale, Chairperson of Hotel Management Committee, Upper Manang. According to him, arrangements were made to send tourists up to Bhraka even amidst snowfall.

Tourism entrepreneur Ghyamcho Gurung said the tourists had left for Chame this morning. “The weather has opened up to some extent, the clouds are clearing up and there is light sunshine as well”, he said, adding that some have headed towards their destination on their motorbikes while some have headed towards the lower areas managing tourists in jeeps. According to him, some foreign tourists who had come to pass Thorangla have returned. So far, around 150 tourists have returned from Upper Manang village, he said.

Chief of the District Disaster Management Committee and Chief District Officer Poudyal said the vehicles available in the district were being used for rescuing the tourists trapped in snowfall and creating an environment conducive for them to go to their destinations. “The excavator has become easier to operate and travel with the improvement in the weather,” he said, adding, “We have allowed two-wheelers to ply safely on the journey.” ’

CDO Poudyal said private, public and government vehicles have been used up to Chame to facilitate the tourists who are facing problems in returning home. The district administration, local governments and others are working hard to bring the road into operation.

Most of the domestic tourists come to Khangsar on two-wheelers and trekking to Tilicho Lake. Foreign tourists, however, are in safe condition as they enjoy trekking. Two-wheelers have been pulled out of the snow.