September 10, 2025

The Embassy of India in Beijing rang alarm bells on Wednesday for Indian travelers on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra passing through Nepal. The calm has been shattered by Nepal’s current chaotic situation, which has messed up travel plans arranged by private tour operators. The embassy warned all Indian citizens trekking through the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to stay sharp. "Given the high altitude and challenging terrain, they are advised to take the necessary care and precautions for their health and well-being," the statement added. Pilgrims must closely follow advice from local officials and both Indian embassies in Beijing and Kathmandu to stay safe. For help, the Embassy of India in Beijing provided these lifelines: +0086 185 1428 4905 (calls only) and +0086 135 2065 7602 (WhatsApp and calls). Meanwhile, the embassy in Kathmandu shared local emergency numbers: +977 980 860 2881 and +977 981 032 6134 (both for WhatsApp and calls). On the ground, panic spreads as many Indian tourists remain stuck in Kathmandu amid violent protests. Gauri K, who lives in Chennai but works in Bengaluru, was on the Kailash trip with her sister. She told PTI, "Today we had a flight, but due to unrest in Kathmandu, all airline companies have cancelled their services. I am now held up in this hotel." About 150 Indians, including 20 from Bengaluru, are trapped together, she revealed. The travel agency originally booked hotels only till Tuesday, but with flights grounded, tourists must extend their stay. The scene outside is grim. "There was absolute anarchy everywhere. Smoke was billowing from buildings torched by mobs. Though a curfew was in place, youths were roaming freely, and we also heard gunshots intermittently," Gauri described. Wednesday was a bit more peaceful but still tense. "Gun-totting students were still roaming on the roads," she warned. Hotel staff strictly advised guests to stay inside as mobs dominated the streets. Many are praying for flights to restart soon. However, they have heard airlines are charging sky-high prices from Kathmandu to New Delhi. On top of that, rising hotel costs stress their wallets. All this turmoil follows Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s sudden resignation on Tuesday. Protesters stormed his office, demanding answers for at least 19 deaths during police action on September 8 protests about corruption and a social media ban. Rage boiled over as protesters torched government offices, Parliament, and important leaders' homes. It's a stormy time for Indian pilgrims and tourists caught in Nepal’s upheaval.

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Tags: Kailash mansarovar yatra, Nepal unrest, Indian embassy, Indian tourists, Kathmandu protests,