Trekkers were air‑lifted from the high Himalayas after a series of landslides ripped through Nepal’s trekking routes, killing around 30 people, the BBC reports.

Heavy rain in the region has triggered a chain of slides, with the government estimating that the recent events have added to the toll that followed last month’s catastrophic flooding.

According to the BBC, the floods, which struck the country in early September, displaced thousands and damaged infrastructure across the eastern and central valleys.

‘The scale of the damage is unprecedented,’ said a government spokesperson.

The rescue crews, comprising the Nepalese Army and local emergency teams, flew in a helicopter to evacuate stranded trekkers and residents from the steep slopes of the Langtang and Manaslu districts.

Nepal helicopter rescuing trekkers on a steep mountain slope

Officials have declared a state of emergency in the affected districts and are coordinating with international aid organisations to provide food, shelter and medical support.

Mountains in peril

The landslides were triggered by sustained monsoon rains that have become increasingly intense in recent years, a trend linked to climate change. The BBC has highlighted that Nepal’s fragile geology makes it highly susceptible to such events.

Rescue operations

The helicopter, operated by the army’s aviation unit, made several sorties overnight to lift stranded climbers and supplies. Local communities, many of whom rely on trekking for income, have been moved to temporary camps set up by the government.

Long‑term risks

Scientists warn that the combination of rising temperatures and heavier rainfall patterns could raise the frequency of landslides in the Himalayan foothills. The BBC has called for enhanced monitoring systems to predict such disasters.

Impact on tourism and communities

Tourism, a key sector for Nepal’s economy, has suffered a sharp decline as trail closures and safety concerns deter international visitors. The loss of livelihoods for local guides, porters and hospitality workers has intensified the humanitarian strain.

Authorities plan to install an early‑warning network of rainfall gauges and slope‑stability sensors across the most vulnerable valleys next year, the BBC notes, aiming to reduce the risk of future tragedies.