At least four dead, others missing in avalanche as severe weather batters Nepal

At Least Four Dead, Others Missing After Nepal Avalanche

Healfromzero.com – At least four dead others missing after an avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in central Nepal, as severe weather continues to batter parts of the country. Rescue teams are searching the remote high-altitude area while officials work to confirm how many people remain unaccounted for.

The avalanche hit a staging camp where Sherpas, kitchen workers and other expedition staff were preparing for climbers from the United Arab Emirates, who were expected to arrive on October 1. Workers had been setting up tents, moving supplies, fixing ropes and preparing the kitchen when snow and rock swept through the camp.

Himlung Himal rises 7,126 meters, or about 23,000 feet, near Nepal’s border with China. Its isolated base camp and difficult weather conditions have made communication and emergency access especially challenging.

Search efforts continue at Himlung Himal

The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association said four bodies had been recovered. Search operations remained underway as rescuers sought to establish the number of missing workers.

Barun Bhandari, general manager of Himalayan Holidays, which organized the expedition, said at least six Nepalis at the camp had disappeared. The company was coordinating with Nepal’s tourism board and attempting to arrange a helicopter rescue flight to the base camp.

“We are very devastated,” Bhandari said. “We heard this morning that six or seven of our crew is missing but we are yet to confirm the exact number.”

Heavy rain nearby and the camp’s remote location have complicated the response. Bhandari said the workers had safely reached the site on September 18 with food and climbing equipment for the planned expedition.

The disaster was particularly surprising because the base camp sits on relatively flat ground. “This is the first time we have had an avalanche like this in this exact area,” Bhandari said, adding that mountain conditions can be unpredictable.

Floods and landslides deepen Nepal’s weather crisis

The report of at least four dead others missing comes as Nepal faces widespread flood and landslide risks. Authorities warned of possible flash flooding in 49 of the country’s 77 districts as major rivers and tributaries rose.

Heavy rainfall late last week caused floods that killed at least 21 people nationwide. Five people were reported missing, five were injured and hundreds of families were affected.

Video shared Monday showed a major landslide crashing into the Kali Gandaki River near Lete in northern Mustang District. Nepal’s steep terrain, fast-moving rivers and isolated roads can turn intense rainfall into a rapidly escalating emergency.

The National Trust for Nature Conservation had suspended entry permits to the Annapurna and Manaslu conservation areas from September 24 through September 26 because of heavy rainfall. The regions include popular trekking routes and the wider area around Himlung Himal.

Tourism and expeditions face renewed uncertainty

Nepal relies heavily on trekking and mountaineering tourism. The avalanche follows a recent glacier collapse and landslide on the Nepal-China border that caused catastrophic flooding, killing at least 1,300 people and leaving more than 5,000 missing.

For now, the priority remains the search at Himlung Himal and support for survivors. Base-camp workers play a vital role in preparing shelter, food, equipment and climbing routes before expeditions arrive, making the loss and disappearance of staff especially serious.

Nepal Avalanche FAQ

Where did the avalanche happen?

The avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in central Nepal, near the border with China.

How many people were killed or missing?

Four bodies were recovered, while officials and expedition organizers were still trying to confirm the number of missing people. At least six Nepali workers were reported missing by the expedition organizer.

Why are rescue efforts difficult?

The camp is in a remote mountain region with limited communications. Heavy rain, unstable weather and the challenge of arranging helicopter access have complicated rescue operations.