Nearly 1,000 people remain trapped on Mount Everest's eastern slopes in Tibet following a severe snowstorm that began Friday evening. Rescue teams and hundreds of local villagers have been deployed to clear snow blocking access to campsites situated at more than 4,900 metres altitude.
Tibet's Blue Sky Rescue team received emergency calls reporting collapsed tents and hikers suffering from hypothermia. The heavy snowfall has intensified throughout Saturday, creating dangerous conditions for those stranded in the remote area.
Tingri County Tourism Company suspended all ticket sales and entry to Everest Scenic Area from Saturday as the rescue operation continues. Some tourists have already been successfully evacuated from the affected zone.
Rescue progress underway
Initial rescue efforts have proved successful with 350 people already rescued and brought to safety in Qudang township. Contact has been established with the remaining 200-plus people still trapped on the mountainside.
According to The Standard, the remaining trekkers are expected to be evacuated "in stages" under professional guidance. An eyewitness described the severity of conditions, telling the Daily Mail: "Many people's tents have been crushed, the camp has more than a metre of snow."
The timing proves particularly challenging as October represents peak tourist season for the region due to post-monsoon clear skies. The Mirror reports that a similar incident in 2010 saw 2,000 tourists stranded for five days, providing concerning historical precedent.
Regional weather crisis
The extreme weather affecting Mount Everest forms part of broader regional conditions impacting the Himalayas. Neighbouring Nepal has been battered by heavy rains triggering landslides and flash floods that killed at least 47 people in recent days.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall in China, forcing approximately 150,000 people to evacuate their homes. The convergence of multiple weather systems has created exceptionally dangerous conditions across the region.
Mount Everest, standing at over 8,849 metres as the world's highest peak, continues to attract thousands of climbers and hikers annually despite its inherent dangers and ongoing concerns about overcrowding and environmental impact.
Sources used: "PA Media", "BBC", "Mirror", "Metro", "Daily Mail", "The Standard" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
