World's Highest Peak Rescue Under Way as Blizzard Strands Nearly 1,000 People
Rescue operations are ongoing on the world's tallest mountain following a severe snowstorm that stranded nearly 1,000 individuals trapped at base camps on the east face of the peak.
Hundreds Guided to Safety Amid Heavy Precipitation
Numerous hikers stranded by the snowstorm near the east side of the peak were safely guided by emergency responders on the weekend, as exceptional precipitation hit the Himalayan region.
As of Sunday, 350 people had reached the small township of the rescue base, while contact had been made with the remaining 200-plus trekkers.
Holiday Rush Contributed to High Visitor Numbers
Tourists in the isolated area of the Karma valley, which leads to the Kangshung east side of Mount Everest, numbered in the hundreds this period, benefiting from an extended holiday break in the area.
Snowfall in the valley, which lies at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (over 13,700 feet), began on Friday evening and continued all day Saturday.
Ongoing Efforts to Bring Remaining Trekkers to Safety
The remaining trekkers are scheduled to reach Qudang in stages under the support and direction of emergency teams dispatched by the regional authorities.
Hundreds of local villagers and rescue teams have been deployed to help clear pathways blocking access to the area.
Uncertainty Over Support Staff and North Face
Estimates indicated that close to a thousand individuals had been stranded. Details were unclear whether local guides and other personnel with the hiking groups had been accounted for.
Remains unknown if trekkers near the north face of Everest—also in the area—had been impacted or not.
Peak Season and Access Halted
The north face of Mount Everest, due to its easy access by roadway, regularly draws many of tourists. October is a peak season, when weather improves with the end of the Indian monsoon.
Ticket sales and entry to the whole Mount Everest region were suspended from Saturday, according to notices posted on official channels.
Nearby Area Affected by Severe Weather
To the south of the region, torrential downpours caused landslides and flash floods that have closed routes, destroyed bridges, and claimed over forty-seven lives since last week.
Thirty-five individuals lost their lives in multiple mudslides in the eastern Ilam district bordering India. Nine people were reported unaccounted for after being carried off by flood waters, and three more were fatally struck in lightning strikes elsewhere in the country.
