At least four dead, others missing in avalanche as severe weather batters Nepal

Nepal Avalanche Leaves Four Dead as Severe Weather Batters Country

Earthguardiansonline.com – At least four dead others remain missing after an avalanche struck the Himlung Himal base camp in central Nepal, as heavy rain, flooding and landslides batter areas across the country. Rescue teams were still working to reach the remote site and confirm the full scale of the disaster.

The avalanche hit as a support crew prepared the camp for a climbing expedition involving visitors from the United Arab Emirates, who were due to arrive on October 1. Sherpas, kitchen workers and other staff had been putting up tents, arranging supplies and securing climbing ropes when snow and rock swept down the mountain.

Four bodies had been recovered by Monday local time, according to a Facebook update from the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association. Authorities and expedition organizers continued searching while trying to determine how many people were unaccounted for.

Remote Base Camp Delays Rescue Effort

Himlung Himal stands at 7,126 meters, or about 23,000 feet, close to Nepal’s border with China. Its isolated location can make communication and emergency access difficult, particularly when poor weather limits helicopter operations.

Barun Bhandari, general manager of Himalayan Holidays, said at least six Nepali crew members at the base camp were missing. He said the company was coordinating with Nepal’s tourism board to verify the number and arrange a rescue helicopter, but persistent rain and limited communications were slowing the response.

“We are very devastated,” Bhandari said. “We heard this morning that six or seven of our crew is missing but we are yet to confirm the exact number.”

The team had reached the camp safely on September 18 with food and climbing equipment. Its work included preparing accommodation, setting up a kitchen, fixing ropes for the climb and monitoring conditions higher on the mountain.

“This is the first time we have had an avalanche like this in this exact area. The ground is very flat at the base camp so we are quite surprised. But you never know, the mountain is unpredictable.”

Floods and Landslides Add to Nepal’s Emergency

The avalanche occurred amid dangerous weather nationwide. Intense rainfall late last week triggered flooding that killed at least 21 people, while five people were missing and five others were injured, Nepal’s national disaster risk reduction and management authority said Sunday. Hundreds of families were also affected.

Officials warned of possible flash flooding in 49 of Nepal’s 77 districts. More than half the country faced a high risk of flooding or sudden flash floods as major rivers and tributaries rose.

Footage from northern Mustang District showed a large landslide falling into the Kali Gandaki River near Lete on Monday. The incident highlighted the risks for communities, roads and mountain travelers during sustained rain, when steep slopes and swollen waterways can become unstable quickly.

The National Trust for Nature Conservation had suspended entry permits for the Annapurna and Manaslu conservation areas from September 24 through September 26 because of heavy rainfall. Himlung Himal lies in the broader mountain region near the Chinese frontier.

Tourism Faces Another Setback

At least four dead others missing at the base camp adds pressure to Nepal’s tourism sector, which relies on trekking, expeditions and the work of guides, porters, lodge operators, transport providers and mountain communities.

The latest disaster follows a much larger event on the Nepal-China border weeks earlier, when a glacier collapse and landslide caused catastrophic flooding. At least 1,300 people were killed and more than 5,000 remained missing.

Nepal has urged international visitors not to abandon planned trips despite the earlier devastation. However, the current weather emergency shows how rapidly mountain access routes and expedition schedules can change.

FAQ for Travelers and Climbers in Nepal

What happened at Himlung Himal? An avalanche struck the base camp while a support crew was preparing for an upcoming expedition. Four bodies were recovered, while several crew members remained missing.

Which areas face the greatest weather risk? Authorities warned of flash flooding in 49 districts, while heavy rainfall, rising rivers and landslides posed risks across much of Nepal.

Are trekking permits affected? The Annapurna and Manaslu conservation areas had entry permits suspended from September 24 to September 26 because of heavy rain. Travelers should confirm current conditions and permit status before heading into mountain areas.

For rescuers, the urgent task remains locating those missing after the Himlung Himal avalanche. Heavy rain, difficult terrain and the continuing risk of floods and landslides remain major obstacles across Nepal.