Unseasonal Snowfall Shuts Everest Region in Nepal and Tibet
Authorities in Nepal and Tibet have closed the Mount Everest region to tourists following heavy unseasonal snowfall, which has left trekkers stranded and disrupted rescue operations.
Since Monday, snow has blanketed the region as Cyclone Montha swept across India, bringing a second round of severe Himalayan snowfall this month. In Nepal, officials have suspended trekking on major trails, including Annapurna, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri, urging hikers to avoid venturing out due to hazardous conditions.
During rescue efforts near Everest Base Camp, a small private helicopter crashed while attempting to land in deep snow. The pilot survived and was rescued, though it remains unclear if all stranded trekkers were safely evacuated.
On the Tibetan side, ticket sales were suspended as icy roads and poor visibility made travel dangerous. Temperatures in Tingri county are expected to drop further below freezing in the coming days.
Earlier this month, a blizzard in the same region had left hundreds of trekkers stranded, prompting large-scale rescue operations. In Nepal, ongoing floods and landslides from heavy rains have claimed over 50 lives.
