Sagar Karki, a 21-year-old tourist from Krishnapur Municipality-2 in Kanchanpur district, was airlifted to safety by a Nepali Army helicopter on October 31, 2026, after heavy snowfall left him stranded at Triveni Patan in the Badimalika area of Bajura district. Karki was one of two tourists trapped by the snowfall at the remote, high-altitude site in Nepal's far west, and his rescue by helicopter brought an end to a dangerous situation that had developed as the weather deteriorated. According to a report by Ratopati, the stranded visitor was successfully flown out of the snowbound area.

Heavy snowfall strands two tourists at Triveni Patan

The incident took place at Triveni Patan, which lies in the Badimalika area of Bajura, a hill district in Sudurpashchim Province in Nepal's far-western region. Two tourists visiting the area were caught in heavy snowfall that left them stranded. Among them was Karki, a 21-year-old resident of Krishnapur Municipality-2 in Kanchanpur, who had traveled to the Badimalika area. The available report did not identify the second tourist, nor did it describe how long the two had been at the site before the snowfall cut them off.

Snowfall in the higher elevations of Bajura can quickly make movement hazardous. Walking routes and open ground can disappear under fresh snow, visibility can drop sharply, and visitors caught outdoors face severe cold as temperatures fall. For anyone traveling on foot in such terrain, remaining in place and waiting for rescue is often the only safe option once the weather turns, since attempting to descend through snow-covered paths carries serious risks of injury and disorientation.

Nepali Army helicopter carries out the airlift

A helicopter operated by the Nepali Army carried out the rescue operation on October 31, 2026, lifting Karki out of the snowbound Triveni Patan area. The report confirmed the rescue and the identity of the rescued tourist, though it did not state where the helicopter flew from, how long the operation took, or where Karki was taken after being evacuated.

Operations of this kind depend heavily on helicopters in districts such as Bajura, where road networks are sparse and settlements, pastures and pilgrimage sites are scattered across high ridges far from the district headquarters. When snow, landslides or floods sever ground routes, the Nepali Army and its air assets are routinely called upon to reach people in distress, deliver supplies and evacuate the stranded or injured to safer locations. Flying at altitude in mountain terrain also requires favorable weather windows, which makes timely coordination between ground reports and air crews essential once word of an emergency gets out.

Badimalika's high terrain makes weather a serious hazard

Badimalika is one of the most prominent pilgrimage and tourist destinations in the far-western region, and sites such as Triveni Patan draw visitors from within the district and beyond. The area sits at a high elevation, where weather can change abruptly and snowfall can occur even when conditions in the lower districts to the south remain mild. When snow covers the routes leading to such sites, visitors on foot can find themselves cut off from help, which is precisely the situation that developed at Triveni Patan in this case.

The episode underscores the seasonal risks that come with travel in Nepal's high hill areas. Late October marks the transition toward winter in the far-western hills, and early snowfall can catch travelers unprepared, particularly those unfamiliar with the terrain or traveling without adequate gear. Bajura is among the country's more remote districts, and reaching help from many of its higher sites can take considerable time on foot, which is why airlifts remain the decisive option in emergencies of this sort.

What has been confirmed so far

Based on the information available, the key facts of the incident are the following:

  • The stranded tourist rescued by helicopter is Sagar Karki, 21, of Krishnapur Municipality-2 in Kanchanpur.
  • The rescue was carried out by a Nepali Army helicopter on October 31, 2026.
  • The stranding occurred at Triveni Patan in the Badimalika area of Bajura after heavy snowfall.
  • Two tourists were stranded in total. The report provided details of Karki's rescue, but did not specify the situation of the second stranded tourist or whether further rescue efforts were under way.

For travelers planning visits to high-altitude destinations such as Badimalika, checking weather forecasts before setting out, carrying sufficient warm clothing and food, and informing local residents or authorities of travel plans are standard precautions in Nepal's hill districts. As this incident at Triveni Patan shows, weather in the mountains can change within hours, and the difference between a routine trip and a helicopter rescue can come down to timing and preparation.