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Bad weather hampers Nepal rescue

Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU: The status of hundreds of persons who went missing in a snowstorm in the rugged mountains in west Nepal, is still unknown.

As the region is still covered in snow and remains inaccessible, rescue teams have failed to reach the area.

A Nepal army helicopter has airdropped a rescue team comprising army and police personnel near the snowstorm-hit region and they are waiting for the bad weather to clear.

At least 16 persons have been reported killed, and hundreds of others are missing. Most of the villagers had gone to the mountainous regions of Dolpa, Kalikot and Darchula to collect yarchagumba, a natural aphrodisiac.

Yarchagumba (Cordyceps sinensis) is a rare species of parasitic fungus that grows on the bodies of insect larvae. Used as an aphrodisiac and in the treatment of various ailments, yarchagumba can fetch up to $1,400 per kg in the local market.

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