A heavy snowfall on the slopes of Himlung Himal in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has claimed the lives of two trekking guides and left at least twelve people missing, according to Al Jazeera. The incident, which occurred early this week, has triggered a large‑scale search and rescue operation in one of the country’s most remote high‑altitude areas.
Emergency services began a coordinated search overnight, with teams from the Nepal Army, local mountaineering clubs and volunteer groups combing the steep, snow‑laden terrain. The operation has been hampered by severe weather, including blizzards and heavy snowfall that has turned the valley floor into a white maze.
According to Al Jazeera, the avalanche was triggered by a sudden release of accumulated snow after a series of days of heavy precipitation. The wall of ice and debris descended the slope at speeds that left little time for anyone to escape.
The snow, piled up over days, finally gave way, sending a wall of ice down the slope.
Eyewitnesses at the base camp described a terrifying scene: a rush of white, the roar of the avalanche, and the sudden silence that followed. The guides who were on duty had been monitoring the weather and the stability of the slopes when the ground suddenly yielded.
Local authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Rasuwa district, and the Nepal Army has deployed additional personnel and equipment to the area. A spokesperson for the army said that the search was ongoing and that all available resources were being used to locate the missing trekkers.
The terrain around Himlung Himal is notoriously treacherous, with steep gullies and sudden snow slides common during the monsoon season. Rescue teams are working in temperatures that have dropped below minus 20 °C, and visibility is often reduced to a few metres.
Search parties are using a combination of ground patrols, satellite imagery and drones to scan the valley for signs of life. The operation has involved over 60 personnel, including climbers with experience in high‑altitude rescues.
The local community has been deeply affected by the tragedy. Many of those who were missing are family members of the guides, and the incident has struck at the heart of a region that depends on trekking for its livelihoods.
Neal has a long history of avalanches, with the 2014 event on Mount Everest claiming 22 lives. Climate change has increased the frequency of such events, and Nepal’s mountaineering industry has been urging for better early warning systems.
The international mountaineering community has expressed concern, with several organisations calling for stricter safety protocols and better weather monitoring in the Himalayas.
Rescue teams are expected to continue their search for the next 48 hours, with the hope of locating survivors or confirming the fate of the missing trekkers. The Nepal Army has set up a temporary base camp in the valley to support the operation.
The incident has highlighted the risks faced by both tourists and local guides in high‑altitude trekking, and it may prompt a review of safety measures for future expeditions in the region.
Discussion (0)
Sign in to join the discussion.