162 tourists rescued from Annapurna Base Camp as heavy snowfall halts trekking in Western Nepal

Trekking activities in several mountainous regions of western Nepal have come to a standstill following heavy snowfall triggered by Cyclone Montha, which developed over the Bay of Bengal and continues to influence the country’s weather patterns.

The Armed Police Force (APF) confirmed that 162 tourists, including 17 foreigners, stranded at the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in Myagdi district, were rescued after they lost their way in the snow, as per reports. 

The rescue operation, led by APF Inspector Binod Paudel, began on October 29 and concluded successfully by Thursday morning.

The tourists were reportedly moved to safer locations such as Guphaphaant and Saadikharka, and the base camp has now been completely cleared. Authorities have temporarily halted trekking in the Annapurna region until weather conditions improve.

Meanwhile, across western Nepal, rescue operations are ongoing after heavy snow stranded hundreds of trekkers and locals. In Manang district, 750 people were airlifted and relocated from Tilicho Base Camp to the Khangsar area, while another 50 remain safely sheltered at the base camp.

“As accommodation and food facilities in Khangsar were insufficient for all tourists, arrangements were made to safely send some of them back,” the APF said in a statement.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast continued snowfall in the high, hilly, and mountainous regions of western Nepal and warned of additional rainfall and snow in the central and eastern regions from October 30 to November 1.

In light of the worsening conditions, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has issued alerts urging mountaineers, trekking groups, and both domestic and international tourists to exercise extreme caution.

Warnings for heavy rain, snowfall, and potential flooding have been issued for multiple districts, including Gorkha, Manang, Mustang, Myagdi, Nawalpur, Kaski, Parbat, Dolpa, Humla, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Lamjung, Jumla, Mugu, Kalikot, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Salyan, Rukum (East and West), Baglung, Surkhet, Banke, and Bardiya.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has also urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and advised residents of flood-prone areas to relocate to safer places if needed.

“People living along riverbanks in potentially affected areas should remain alert and move to safer areas if risks are observed,” the authority said. “Do not leave paddy or other crops unharvested; if already harvested, store them safely without delay.”

(With inputs from syndicated feed)