The short version
- Ten Nepali climbers are missing after an avalanche struck a base camp near Himlung Himal on Sunday morning.
- Heavy snowfall and poor visibility have prevented helicopters and rescue teams from accessing the site in Manang district.
- The incident occurs as Nepal deals with lingering recovery efforts from August floods and recent climbing fatalities elsewhere.
A significant avalanche has struck a base camp in the Himalayas, leaving at least ten Nepali climbers missing. The incident occurred on Sunday morning near Himlung Himal, a peak that attracts international mountaineers. The individuals involved were local guides who had been deployed ahead of foreign expeditions to prepare the site, manage routes, and secure ropes. Their absence represents a critical disruption to planned climbing activities in the region.
According to expedition organizers, the group was located at a staging point close to the summit when the snowslide occurred. Bibhuti Chand Thakur, representing Himalaya Holidays Trekking, indicated that eight members of his team were among those unaccounted for, along with two guides from a separate company. These professionals play an essential role in facilitating safe ascents, making their disappearance a serious concern for both the individuals and the broader climbing community.
Rescue operations have been severely hampered by adverse weather conditions. Helicopters and ground rescue teams have been unable to reach the affected area due to poor visibility and ongoing precipitation. The mountain stands at 7,126 meters above sea level and is situated on the border between Nepal and Tibet. Forecasts had indicated heavy snowfall in the days leading up to the event, contributing to unstable conditions on the slopes.
This incident underscores the persistent challenges facing Nepal’s climbing tourism sector, which is vital to the local economy. Recent weeks have seen treacherous conditions across mountain districts due to continuous rain and snow. Earlier this week, climbers were forced to evacuate Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak, because of rising avalanche threats. The pattern suggests a broader instability in the region that extends beyond a single location.
The timing of this disaster is particularly somber for the Nepali climbing community. It comes less than two months after six climbers lost their lives on Broad Peak in Pakistan. That tragedy included Nirmal Purja, a well-known British-Nepali mountaineer recognized for setting numerous records. The loss of experienced guides continues to impact the industry’s capacity and morale.
Beyond the immediate crisis at Himlung Himal, Nepal is still grappling with the aftermath of earlier disasters. Recovery efforts are ongoing in areas affected by a massive flood and landslide in August on the Nepal-Tibet border. More than 6,000 people remain missing from that event, while over 1,400 deaths have been confirmed. A glacial collapse sent vast amounts of water and debris down the Trishuli River valley, destroying settlements and causing widespread devastation.
Extreme weather is also affecting neighboring regions. In Uttar Pradesh, India, severe conditions have resulted in more than fifty fatalities, according to local officials. These concurrent events highlight the vulnerability of South Asia to climate-related hazards. Nepal has indicated plans to use new flood studies to seek compensation from the United Nations climate disaster fund, reflecting a growing focus on financial recourse for environmental losses.
As weather conditions remain unfavorable, the status of the missing guides remains uncertain. Authorities and expedition leaders are waiting for a window of opportunity to launch effective search and rescue missions. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in high-altitude mountaineering and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the Himalayas.
The climbing industry faces an uncertain future as it navigates these compounded risks. With key personnel missing and infrastructure damaged, the immediate impact on upcoming expeditions is significant. Long-term implications may include stricter safety protocols or shifts in how tours are organized to mitigate exposure to such volatile conditions. For now, attention remains focused on locating the ten individuals trapped under the snow.
International attention has turned to the region as news of the avalanche spreads. The reliance on local expertise for high-altitude climbs means that the loss of these guides affects not just their families but also the logistical framework of international expeditions. As rescue teams await better weather, the global climbing community watches with concern, aware of the fragility of operations in such extreme environments.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Ten climbers missing after avalanche hits Himalayan base camp
