Trekkers airlifted as deadly landslides strike Nepal
Fresh heavy rain and landslides kill about 30 people in Nepal, damaging homes and stranding hundreds of trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Fresh landslides and heavy rain have killed approximately 30 people in Nepal.
- More than 2,400 homes were damaged and over 1,900 families affected since late last week.
- Hundreds of hikers on the Annapurna Circuit were airlifted out by helicopters.
- Four bodies recovered and 12 missing following an avalanche near Himlung Peak.
Nepal is grappling with a severe new wave of natural disasters after heavy rainfall and landslides claimed the lives of about 30 individuals. This latest catastrophe compounds the devastation left behind by August's massive floods, which resulted in 1,400 deaths and thousands of missing persons.
According to the national disaster management authority, more than 1,900 families have felt the impact since late last week, with over 240 homes suffering damage. Critical infrastructure, including local roads, buildings, and bridges, has been completely washed away.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The extreme weather has heavily disrupted hikers on the Annapurna Circuit, a vital component of the nation's tourism economy. Numerous trekkers have been forced to cut their hikes short to reach safety.
Many travelers have been evacuated via helicopters from the Manang and Mustang districts along a hiking route that typically takes up to three weeks to finish. Buti Tamang, speaking from a damp tent in Battar northwest of Kathmandu, shared her grief over losing their modest hut and multiple relatives.
"We used to live in a hut, but now there is nothing. We have lost so many of our relatives."
Buti Tamang
The recurring floods and landslides in Nepal highlight the profound vulnerability of mountainous infrastructure to extreme weather events. The rapid landscape alterations not only devastate local communities but also severely disrupt adventure tourism, which serves as a financial lifeline for the region. Emergency airlifts and the reliance on abandoned historic trails demonstrate the urgent measures required when modern transport routes fail.
Additionally, an avalanche near the base of Himlung Peak close to the Tibet border left four people dead and 12 missing. Representatives from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project stated that roughly 700 trekkers remain stranded in Pokhara, barred from beginning the circuit trek for safety reasons.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
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