A helicopter belonging to Mustang Helicopter, which was initially reported missing in Dolakha on Friday, was later confirmed safe, according to the company.

The helicopter, registered as 9N-ANO, had departed from Kathmandu at around 10:25am for Lapcha in the Lamabagar area. It lost contact shortly after taking off again from the Upper Lapche Hydropower Project site, prompting a search operation.

Ronan Lamichhane, managing director of Mustang Helicopter Pvt Ltd, confirmed that the helicopter had landed in the Lapcha Gumba area due to adverse weather conditions. He said all people on board the chopper are safe and that the aircraft would return to Kathmandu on Saturday.

Five people were on board, including three staff from Citizens Bank International and two from Energy Venture, the project’s promoter. The helicopter was piloted by Suraj Thapa.

Deo Chandra Lal Karn, acting director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, earlier said the area was experiencing heavy snowfall and had no mobile connectivity, complicating communication and search efforts. An Army helicopter, along with security personnel and locals, had been mobilised for the search.