Evacuation operations have started of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims stranded due to inclement weather on the Nepalganj-Simikot-Hilsa route. <br/><br/>Sources in the External Affairs Ministry said Indian Mission in Kathmandu is in touch with senior officers in Nepal's capital as well as senior police authorities on the ground. The Nepalese authorities are continously monitoring the situation and have assured all possible assistance.<br/><br/>Sources said while there is no shortage of essential items, situation can normalise only when regular air services are undertaken in an uninterrupted manner. They said the Indian <br/><br/>Mission is deploying First Secretary (Consular) Pranav Ganesh and a staff member to Simikot for situational awareness and coordinating with tour operators and Nepalese agencies on the ground. <br/><br/>Due to bad weather, limited number of sorties could be carried out by helicoptor yesterday. Around 50 pilgrims were evacuated from Hilsa to Simikot and around 100 from Simikot to Nepalganj. According to Nepal Police, there are currently around 250 pilgrims in Hilsa and a similar number in Simikot.