Avalanche Hits Himlung Himal Base Camp in Nepal, 10 Missing

A significant avalanche has struck a base camp for climbers on Himlung Himal peak in Nepal, resulting in the disappearance of ten individuals. The incident occurred on Sunday morning in the Manang district, where a substantial snow sheet fell on the camp. The group involved primarily comprised Nepalese nationals, including climbers and support personnel, who were tasked with preparing the camp for incoming foreign climbers.

The region has recently experienced heavy snowfall surrounding the peak, which stands at 7,126 metres (23,380 feet) and lies on the border with Tibet. Weather conditions have severely obstructed rescue operations, with helicopters and other rescue teams initially unable to access the site due to the thick snow and poor visibility.

Bibhuti Chand Thakur from Himalaya Holidays Trekking informed the news agency AFP that at least eight members of their expedition team are reported missing. The total number of climbers still unaccounted for remains undetermined.

In a response to the situation, a team of experienced mountaineers was dispatched from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, via helicopter. Local media reports indicate that rescue efforts are now expected to progress further on Monday as conditions gradually improve.

Those missing had been assigned to set up the base camp and secure the climbing routes ahead of the foreign climbers. Climbers across Nepal are facing challenging conditions owing to ongoing rain and snow, which have raised concerns for the climbing tourism sector, a vital component of the country’s economy.

Earlier in the week, climbers were compelled to evacuate from Mount Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest peak, owing to the increasing risk of avalanches.

The recent fatalities of Nepali climbers follow closely after the tragic loss of six climbers on Broad Peak in Pakistan, which included the notable British-Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja.

Additionally, extensive recovery operations are still underway along the Nepal-Tibet border, where over 6,000 individuals remain unaccounted for after a major flood and landslide in August. This disaster has resulted in the confirmed deaths of over 1,400 people due to a glacial collapse that unleashed torrents of water and debris down the Trishuli River valley, devastating communities.

Extreme weather conditions continue to impact various regions across Asia. In Uttar Pradesh, India, severe weather has claimed the lives of more than 50 individuals, while Bangkok has declared a flood emergency following heavy rainfall. Typhoon Dujuan, the latest storm to hit Japan, has led to landslides that resulted in four deaths. Such extreme weather does appear to be exacerbated by the ongoing phenomenon known as 'super El Niño', which contributes to the intensity of storms in the region.