A sudden and severe blizzard on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest trapped nearly 1,000 hikers in isolated camps during China’s National Day holiday weekend, as reported by state media.
Reports from Reuters and Jimu news on Sunday indicated that at least 350 individuals have been rescued, while communication has been established with many others who remain stranded in the snow-affected area.
The storm struck Friday, dumping heavy snow and rain across the Himalayas, reports said.
The worst conditions came near the eastern Kangshung face of Everest, in Tibet’s Karma Valley, where elevations average over 13,779 ft.
Mount Qomolangma or Mount Everest in Tibet, where a blizzard trapped up to 1,000 trekkers. (Hu Guoheng/VCG via Getty Images)
In response, authorities halted ticket sales and closed access to the Everest Scenic Area on Saturday night, according to an update from Tingri County Tourism Company’s official WeChat account.
It has not been confirmed if the adverse weather affected trekkers on Everest’s northern face, which is also situated in Tibet but is more readily reachable by road.
The harsh weather conditions have also impacted Nepal, causing heavy rains that resulted in landslides and flash floods, claiming at least 47 lives since Friday.
Thirty-five people died in separate landslides in the eastern Ilam district near the Indian border, while others remain missing after being swept away by floodwaters, per Reuters.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Central Tibetan Administration for comment.
