Rescue operations are ongoing on the remote Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest after a fierce snowstorm stranded nearly 1,000 people in camps on the mountain’s eastern side, Chinese state media reported.
Hundreds of local villagers and emergency teams have been dispatched to clear snow-blocked routes leading to the affected area, which lies at an altitude of over 4,900 metres (16,000 feet).
According to reports cited by Reuters, about 350 individuals have already been rescued and guided to safety in Qudang town, a small township nearby.
The storm, which began on Friday evening, has intensified over the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet, a region frequented by trekkers and climbers.
“It was so wet and cold – hypothermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, a member of a trekking group that managed to reach Qudang.
“The weather this year is not normal. The guide said he had ever encountered such weather in October. And it happened all too suddenly,” Chen added.
Chinese state media said Tibet’s Blue Sky Rescue team received distress calls reporting that tents had collapsed under heavy snow, with some hikers already showing symptoms of hypothermia.
As a result of the worsening conditions, the Tingri County Tourism Company has halted ticket sales and closed entry to the Everest Scenic Area since Saturday, Reuters reported.
The extreme weather has also affected neighbouring regions. In Nepal, torrential rains have triggered landslides and flash floods, destroying bridges and claiming at least 47 lives in the past two days.
Meanwhile, in China, Typhoon Matmo has forced around 150,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
Standing at over 8,849 metres, Mount Everest is the world’s tallest peak and remains a formidable challenge for climbers.
Despite its popularity, the mountain continues to face issues of overcrowding, environmental degradation, and frequent deadly expeditions.
