Over 200 stranded Karnataka tourists in Kathmandu face hardship amid evacuation delays

More than 200 tourists from Karnataka remain stranded in Kathmandu after being asked to vacate both their hotels and the airport, forcing many to take temporary refuge in closed restaurants and bars. The group, which includes over 130 pilgrims on a Manasarovar trip organised by the Isha Foundation, has been waiting for evacuation since Tuesday afternoon.

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Officials at the Karnataka Chief Secretary’s office and the Resident Commissioner of Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi are coordinating with the travellers. While the Union government has arranged flights between New Delhi and Kathmandu, the state’s plan to bring back its residents to Bengaluru is still being finalised. Two more flights are scheduled from Kathmandu to New Delhi on Thursday.

Sudden evacuation from hotels came after local establishments

The sudden evacuation from hotels came after local establishments expressed safety concerns, compelling tourists to seek shelter near the airport. With food outlets, medical shops, and transport shut down, many have endured long hours without meals and have had to move in small groups to avoid unsafe streets. Some were briefly escorted by military vehicles.

The situation has disrupted upcoming travel plans as well. The Karnataka Tourism Society confirmed that tours scheduled for mid-September have been cancelled or diverted to safer destinations like Sri Lanka and Rishikesh. Families in Bengaluru with planned trips to Nepal have also withdrawn, citing uncertainty. Tour operators are now reworking itineraries to provide alternatives to travellers who had booked Nepal visits months in advance.