Crisis & Emergency

Crisis & Emergency

Crises or unexpected happenings can occur at anytime, anywhere during traveling. Therefore, we at Nepal Tourism Board recommend all tourists to be well planned for such situations before traveling. In case tourists encounter crises or emergency situations, the Board will intervene and co-ordinate to advise the tourism industry and other agencies (such as health services, foreign embassies, press, security and rescue associations) to help ensure the safety of tourists and the provision of accurate information to the tourists’ kin.

Safety of tourists is the prime concern of tourist service providers like tour operators, accommodation providers as well as the Nepal Government security forces.

In case of crisis/ emergency, tourists can contact:
Tourist Police, Bhrikutimandap Tel: +977-1- 4247041 Fax: 4227281	Tourist Police, Thamel  Tel: +977-1-4700750
Tourist Police, Basantapur Tel: +977-1-4268969, 4269452	Tourist Police, Pashupati Tel: +977-1-4478126
Tourist Police, Tribhuvan International Airport Tel: +977-1-6227122	Tourist Police, Pokhara Tel: +977-61-462761
Tourist Police, Belhiya Tel: +977-71-520197	Police Headquarter Operation, Naxal Tel: +977-1-4412780, 4411549
Metro Police Control, Ranipokhari Tel: 100, 120, 130/ 977-1-4225989	Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan Tel: +977-1-4429660
Tourism Crisis Unit Tel: +977- 97510-44088	Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap Tel: +977-1-4256909
Nepal Tourism Board, Pokhara Tel: +977-61-465292, 463029	Himalayan Rescue Association Tel: +977-1-4440292/ 4440293

Type of crises

Natural calamities as well as man-made disasters could occur while traveling to any place and we suggest that tourists be fully acquainted with the kinds of crises/ emergency situations they might encounter before traveling. Natural calamities can include avalanche, earthquake, fire, flood, mudslide, medical epidemic, snowstorm, frost bite, altitude sickness and snow blindness etc. Similarly, man-made calamities can also create hurdle in regular functioning and movement of tourists. Such situations could include: protests, street blockades, strikes, closures, political and civil unrest, harassment, accident, local conflict and war etc.

We recommend that you note the following points for your safety and security:

General:

1. Please carry certified copies of passport, insurance papers and your other documents and keep the originals in the safe deposit of your hotel.
2. In case of loss, theft, cheating, robbery, contact the Tourist Police or the nearest Police Station.
3. Please take care of your valuables and belongings i.e. cash and kind, and never leave anything unattended.
4. Always use Government authorized travel, trekking and rafting agencies and transportation services.
5. Please exchange money at authorized money exchange dealers and retain the slip.
6. Please note taxi and bus numbers before traveling.
7. On arrival in Nepal, please register yourself at your respective embassy.
8. Please drink only treated water, boiled water or sealed mineral water. You can buy sealed mineral water bottle from local vendors and water purifiers from medical shops.

For Mountaineers and Trekkers:

1. Please obtain your TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) Card before trekking.
2. Mountaineers and high-altitude trekkers, please look up on information regarding Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which can develop and lead to fatal consequences while trekking above 3,000 meters.
3. Please do not consume alcohol while trekking above 3,000 meters.
4. Please use designated routes and do not deviate from normal trekking routes.
5. Please trek in groups rather than trekking alone.
6. When trekking around high altitude and steep areas, please use walking sticks to balance the body and probe the ground. This will also help avoid pressure on the knees when descending.
7. Please carry torch, raincoat and first aid kit.
8. Please carry mosquito repellant while traveling to southern lowlands.
9. For altitude sickness and medical help in high-altitude areas please contact the Himalayan Recue Association (HRA).
10. For helicopter evacuation while trekking or mountaineering, please contact your local agency.

During Bandhs and Strikes:

1. Please avoid large crowds, protests and procession groups.
2. Tourist transportation services are in operation even during bandhs or strikes.
3. During strikes and bandhs, shuttle buses provide transportation to tourists between downtown and Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
4. For information and updates regarding bandhs and strikes, please contact your nearest police station.

Tourist Police
Tourist Police is a specialized unit of the Nepal Police, which was established in 1979 under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tourism Industry Division. The main responsibility of Tourist Police is to look after the welfare of the tourists while they are in Nepal. Its job is to help and assist tourists for their safety and security during their travel and stay in Nepal.

Nepal Tourism Board
In order to strengthen and consolidate the information network and deliver the authentic situation update, the Media Center of Nepal Tourism Board sends information on a weekly basis to consumer, travel trade, media and well-wishers of Nepal.

Especially designed to cater to the need of the visitors during times of crises, the Media Center of Nepal Tourism Board has also been maintaining a round the clock hotline to disseminate information and answer specific queries.

Taking in view the convenience of the tourists who are arriving and departing Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board in coordination with tourism entrepreneurs has been operating shuttle buses from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu to different parts of the city and from different parts of the city to the Airport during Nepal Bandh (strikes and closure).

Himalayan Rescue Association
HRA is a voluntary non-profit organization formed in 1973 with an objective to reduce casualties in the Nepal Himalayas, especially keeping in view the increasing number of Nepalese and foreigners who trek up into the remote wilderness.

One of the most important tasks of the HRA is to try to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) that confronts foreign trekkers when trekking above 3,000 meters. For the last thirty-five years, the HRA has helped make a safer Himalaya for tourism. Since its inspection, it has manned a small aid post in the Khumbu village of Pheriche at an altitude of around 4,200 meters (14,343 feet).

The Pheriche aid-post is manned twice yearly during the trekking season by volunteer doctors. Similarly, a temporary post is put up at Everest Base Camp around 5,400 meters during Everest Expedition season during spring and autumn. A permanent aid post is also set up in Manang, manned by volunteer doctors of HRA. The Association has also opened various temporary post during season at various points like the Na Village in Rolwaling, the mouth of the Annapurna Sanctuary, the Gokyo Trail, and at the Gosaikunda Lake area.