Avalanche strikes Himlung Himal base camp
At least 10 Nepali climbers are missing after an avalanche struck a base camp in the Himalayas on Sunday morning. Organisers stated that the local guides were at a staging point near the Himlung Himal peak in the Manang district while preparing to lead an expedition.
Forecasts indicated heavy snowfall around the 7,126-metre (23,380ft) peak, which is situated on Nepal’s border with Tibet, in the days preceding the incident. Bibhuti Chand Thakur of Himalaya Holidays Trekking told the AFP news agency that eight members of their expedition team and two from another company were reported missing.
Rescue efforts hampered by poor weather
Adverse weather conditions have hindered rescue operations at the site. Helicopters and rescue teams have been unable to reach the area due to poor visibility and ongoing weather challenges.
The missing personnel were part of a Nepali team sent ahead of foreign climbers to prepare the camp, manage the climbing route, and fix ropes on the mountain.
Treacherous conditions across region
Persistent rain and snow have affected Nepal’s mountain districts in recent days, creating hazardous conditions for the climbing tourism sector. Earlier in the week, climbers were forced to leave Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak, because of an increasing threat of avalanches.
