Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Six yarsagumba collectors have gone out of contact after an avalanche swept away their tents in Balung near Chhangru of Darchula district at around 3 pm on Tuesday.
Member of the House of Representatives from Darchula, Dilendra Prasad Badu, told Himal Press that two collectors managed to escape. “Four people from Duhun Rural Municipality had gone to Balung area to collect yarsagumba. There were four more people from another village in the highland. Two managed to escape while the remaining six are out of contract,” Badu told Himal Press over phone.
Four people from Duhun Rural Municipality – Kalabati Karki (36), her son Arjun (18), Pravin Kunwar and Kamala Kunwar had gone to the highlands four days ago. They were sitting inside the tent when the avalanche struck them. “My son fell down a few feet below. I somehow managed to pull him out from the snow debris,” Kalabati told Himal Press over phone.
Arjun has sustained minor injuries, according to Kalabati.
“I don’t know anything about two friends from our group and four others who were already in the highland. I called the names of my friends many times but didn’t get any response. I then rushed downward with my injured son,” Kalabati, who is currently in a hotel at Changru, said.
Mangal Singh Dhami, chairperson of Byash Rural Municipality, told Himal Press over phone that Balung is frequently visited by yarsagumba collectors.
Meanwhile, a 30-member team from the Border Outpost Office (BPO) of the Armed Police Office has been dispatched to the region for search and rescue purposes.
Baling is a three-hour trek from the BPO in Chhangru to Baling, according to Dhami.
