Massive Blizzard Traps Thousands on Mount Everest’s Tibetan Slopes
A severe blizzard on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest has left more than 1,000 travelers stranded at an elevation exceeding 4,900 metres (about 16,000 feet). Chinese state media and local authorities said rescue teams, including hundreds of villagers, are working to reach those affected as worsening weather obstructs attempts to reach the trapped group.
The crisis began late Friday when heavy snowfall rolled in and continued through Saturday, prompting the suspension of tickets and entry to the Everest Scenic Area. Rescue operations are focusing on snow removal and finding safe routes to bring hikers down from the high-elevation terrain, according to Reuters, which cited a report from Jimu News. Some tourists have already been brought down to safer ground, officials noted, but many remain stranded in the harsh conditions.
Eyewitness reports and social media posts described a challenging scene in treacherous winds and subfreezing temperatures. Medical teams have been alerted to the possibility of hypothermia among those stranded, with authorities emphasizing the need for quick, careful triage as conditions permit. Local rescue crews are working around the clock to clear blocked access paths and create safe passage for evacuees.
The incident adds to a tense picture in the broader Himalayan region, where the border between China and Nepal has seen a series of weather-related disruptions. In Nepal, days of heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods that damaged roads, washed away bridges, and claimed dozens of lives. The affected districts straddling the border—Ilam, Sankhuwasabha, and others—faced significant infrastructure losses, complicating relief efforts across the area.
Officials in India’s northern states have also reported heavy rainfall and floods in parts of Bengal and adjacent regions, with authorities warning residents and dispatching aid. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the situation as deeply worrying and affirmed that all necessary assistance would be deployed to affected families. The rainfall intensified over a 12-hour window, straining already vulnerable transport networks and exacerbating riverine flooding in places like the Sankosh and other rivers fed by monsoon systems from the region.
Environmental and disaster-response agencies are coordinating with local administrations to monitor river levels, secure critical infrastructure, and mobilize relief supplies. The focus remains on stabilizing the immediate crisis at Everest’s high altitude while parallel emergencies unfold across the border in Nepal and parts of northern India. Authorities have urged caution for trekkers and residents in affected zones, emphasizing that conditions can change rapidly in the mountain and flood-prone areas.
This is a developing breaking news story, and authorities have not yet disclosed a full tally of all those affected or a precise timeline for evacuation at Everest. As rescue teams press forward, the public is urged to follow official briefings for guidance on travel and safety in the affected regions.
