An avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung peak in central Nepal early Sunday, leaving at least 10 local climbers and guides missing. The incident occurred as several days of heavy snowfall hit the region. According to Bibhuti Chand Thakur of Himalaya Holidays Trekking, eight members of their expedition team and two more from another company have been reported missing. All those missing are Nepali.
The 7,126-metre tall Himlung peak, located near the border with Tibet, is a popular destination for climbers. Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, and foreign climbers who flock to its mountains are a major source of revenue for the largely rural country. The country has issued more than 500 permits for the autumn climbing season, with many expeditions currently underway.
Rescue efforts are underway, with two helicopters and a search and rescue team on standby. However, adverse weather conditions have prevented them from moving so far. The region has experienced heavy snowfall and rainfall in recent days, which has washed away roads and triggered landslides. The challenging weather conditions are hampering rescue efforts.
Nepal is still reeling from a devastating, tsunami-like flood that occurred on August 26, which killed more than 1,400 people and left over 6,000 missing. The flood cut a swathe of destruction through the Himalayan nation, and aid needs are mounting. The country is facing a significant challenge in responding to the disaster.
The avalanche on Himlung peak has added to the country's woes, with treks paused to the Dhaulagiri mountain range and expeditions cancelled due to heavy snowfall on Manaslu. The region has seen significant weather-related disruptions, with parts of Nepal experiencing heavy rainfall since Thursday.
Scientists have attributed the recent flood to climate change, glacier retreat, and permafrost thaw. The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of the region to climate-related disasters. Nepal is particularly susceptible to such events due to its geography and climate.
The search for the missing climbers and guides is ongoing, with rescue teams working to locate them as soon as possible. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of climbers and guides in the region, particularly during the autumn climbing season. Authorities are working to ensure that necessary precautions are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Key points
- At least 10 local climbers and guides are missing after an avalanche hit the base camp of Himlung peak in central Nepal.
- Nepal is still reeling from a devastating flood that occurred on August 26, which killed over 1,400 people and left over 6,000 missing.
- The avalanche has added to the country's woes, with treks paused and expeditions cancelled due to heavy snowfall in the region.
