A sudden, massive blizzard on Tibetan slopes trapped nearly 1,000 hikers in remote camps during China’s National Day holiday weekend, state media reports indicated.
Jimu news reported Sunday that at least 350 people have so far been accounted for, while contact has been established with several hundred others still stranded in the snow-covered region.
The storm, which hit on Friday, dumped heavy snow and rain across the area, according to reports.
The most severe conditions were encountered near Everest’s eastern Kangshung face, within Tibet’s Karma Valley, where altitudes average above 13,779 feet.
Snowfall persisted into Saturday, rendering roads and trails impassable and cutting off access to several routes frequented during China’s eight-day National Day holiday.
China Central Television (CCTV) also stated that hundreds of rescued trekkers were escorted to Qudang township by local rescue teams.
Hundreds more are anticipated to reach the area progressively as villagers and emergency personnel clear deep snow from mountain passes.
Jimu news, a state-affiliated outlet, estimated that nearly 1,000 individuals, comprising hikers, guides, and local support staff, were trapped by the blizzard.
Rescue efforts have included hundreds of local villagers and members of Tibet’s Blue Sky Rescue Team, who received distress calls regarding collapsed tents and instances of hypothermia.
“The mountains were extremely wet and cold, and hypothermia posed a genuine risk,” Chen Geshuang, a trekker from an 18-person team that reached Qudang, informed Reuters.
“This year’s weather is unusual. The guide mentioned he had never experienced such conditions in October, and it occurred very suddenly,” Chen added.
The Tibetan regional government reportedly organized coordinated search and rescue operations, deploying heavy machinery to reopen roads leading to the affected campsites.
Authorities suspended ticket sales and closed access to the Everest Scenic Area on Saturday evening, as stated on the Tingri County Tourism Company’s official WeChat account.
It remains uncertain whether trekkers on Everest’s north face, also in Tibet but more readily accessible by road, were affected by the identical weather system.
Neighboring Nepal has also been hit by the extreme weather, with heavy rains triggering landslides and flash floods, resulting in at least 47 fatalities since Friday.
Reuters reported that 35 individuals died in separate landslides in the eastern Ilam district near the Indian border, while others are still missing after being swept away by floodwaters.
Digital sought comment from the Central Tibetan Administration.