Summary
- Himalayas buffeted by heavy snowfall since Monday
- Snowfall halts tourism on Nepali, Tibetan side of Everest
- At least 1,500 hikers, including 200 foreigners who lost their way in snow, rescued
Key Points
KATHMANDU/BEIJING, Oct 29 (Reuters) - The Nepali and Chinese sides of the Everest region were closed to tourism on Wednesday due to heavy snow brought by cyclone winds, with deep snowdrifts causing a helicopter to crash as it tried to rescue stranded trekkers, authorities said. Reuters
Visited by thousands of trekkers and climbers, the region around Mount Everest has been blanketed by snow since Monday as a cyclone from the Bay of Bengal churned across India, ushering in a second bout of severe snowfall in the Himalayas this month. Reuters
Reuters
STRANDED TREKKERS
Army and police rescuers guided hundreds of trekkers in Manang district to safety since Tuesday, Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said. Reuters
He said about 1,500 hikers, including 200 foreigners of different nationalities, their guides and local trekkers had lost their way as hiking trails were buried under deep snow. Reuters
On the Tibetan side of Everest, ticket sales had been suspended since Tuesday afternoon as roads turned icy and visibility plunged, creating impassable conditions for vehicular traffic, according to the tourism department of Tingri county. Reuters
AP: Local closure on Tibetan side
BEIJING (AP) — Local authorities have shut down a popular hiking destination on Mount Everest in China’s Tibet region because of heavy snowfall and icy conditions. AP News
Tourism officials said Zhufeng peak in Dingri county, where the Chinese side of Everest is located, is shut until further notice, according to an announcement Tuesday. AP News
The local weather forecast predicted snowfall and icy conditions into Wednesday, potentially a hazard for visitors at higher altitudes as even moderate amounts of snowfall can hamper trails and road conditions. AP News
Earlier in October, rescuers ended up helping 880 people who were trapped at the altitude of 4,900 meters (16,000 feet). This included 580 hikers, 300 guides and other staff, according to local media. AP News
AP News
Share Your Thoughts
- What impact could the closure of Zhufeng Peak have on local communities and regional tourism?
- Do you think authorities responded appropriately to the early warnings and conditions described in the reports?
- How should policymakers balance visitor access with safety during unseasonal weather events?
- What lessons can be learned about emergency preparedness and rescue coordination in high-altitude areas?