Kathmandu: More than 350 trekkers have been rescued after being stranded by blizzard-like conditions on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, Chinese state media reported on Sunday.
The sudden storm struck on Friday evening, unleashing heavy snowfall and freezing rain across the Tingri region of Tibet- one of the main approaches to the world’s tallest peak.
In total, more than 500 trekkers and climbers were caught off guard as visibility collapsed and trails vanished under thick snow. Those rescued so far have been guided to safety in Qudang, a small township located at roughly 4,200 metres (13,800 feet) above sea level. Around 200 more people remain en route, escorted by emergency teams mobilised by local authorities.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether all guides and porters accompanying the groups have been accounted for. It also remains unclear if climbers stationed near Everest’s north face were affected by the same system.
Ticket sales and tourist access to the entire Everest Scenic Area were suspended late Saturday, local tourism officials in Tingri County said through official WeChat notices.
The severe weather underscores the growing unpredictability of Himalayan conditions, often linked by scientists to accelerating climate change. Sherpa communities in neighbouring Nepal have long been adjusting to such shifts, as warmer temperatures and erratic precipitation patterns make mountaineering and trekking more perilous each year.
In Nepal, search and rescue efforts were also underway after torrential rains triggered deadly floods and landslides. Nepal’s Tourism Board said on Sunday that conditions had improved significantly, with clearer skies across much of the country, including Kathmandu.
Since Friday, at least 47 people have been killed across Nepal, including 35 in landslides in the eastern Ilam district near the Indian border. Nine others remain missing after being swept away by floodwaters, while three people were struck and killed by lightning.
