Landslides and Floods Kill Dozens in Nepal Amidst Trekker Rescues

A fresh onslaught of landslides and heavy rainfall has claimed the lives of approximately 30 people in Nepal, compounding the devastation from catastrophic floods in August that resulted in 1,400 deaths and left thousands missing. The national disaster management authority reported that over 1,900 families have been affected since late last week, with more than 240 homes damaged. Roads, buildings, and bridges have been swept away in the latest events.

Hundreds of trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit, a critical economic lifeline for Nepal, have been compelled to shorten their expeditions and seek safety. Many have been evacuated by helicopter from the Manang and Mustang districts, areas that are typically traversed over a three-week hiking circuit.

Communities across several regions of Nepal are grappling with loss. "We used to live in a hut, but now there is nothing. We have lost so many of our relatives," stated Buti Tamang from a temporary tent in Battar, a town northwest of Kathmandu. Ramesh Ghale, another displaced resident, added, "Now it is raining and the tent leaks, so we've been facing a difficult situation. We have nowhere to go."

Many trekkers and their guides described arduous journeys back from the mountains, which took up to four days and involved navigating collapsed roads and washed-out bridges. Jake Stacy, a 21-year-old from Suffolk, found himself stranded with his guide in Yak Kharka, upper Manang, due to heavy snowfall. "We made our own paths on mountain slopes," Stacy recounted. "It was quite steep and we were clambering because there was river below… It was very muddy and very wet."

Andrew Graham and his guide, Prem KC, reported crossing more than 15 landslides after deciding to return from Manang village. "A few of them were quite dangerous, the residual risks have grown now," Graham said. The pair were temporarily stranded in the jungle after reaching the village of Chame, which had been evacuated due to landslide risks.

A substantial landslide has partially obstructed a river near Chame, creating a temporary lake that has inundated homes and a crucial bridge. Efforts by authorities to drain the water using excavators have faced challenges over the past three days. Trekking guide Tse Ring Doma noted that she and her group had to cross 28 landslides, describing the mental toll as more challenging than the physical exertion, amplified by the recent memory of the August disaster. Norwegian trekker Ellen Wahlström commented on the good fortune of visitors who might only lose belongings, unlike locals who risked losing their homes and land, while also noting that authorities were clearing many landslides with surprising speed.

Despite significant damage to roads in Manang, including the loss of several bridges and communication disruptions in certain areas, no fatalities have been reported in the trekking region, according to chief district officer Mukti Prasad Khanal. However, four bodies were recovered and 12 people remain missing following an avalanche near the base of Himlung Peak, close to the Tibetan border.

Approximately 700 trekkers are currently waiting in Pokhara to begin the Annapurna Circuit trek. "We have been holding back all these people who want to go to the Annapurna Circuit trek, although we are under pressure from the trekking industry to announce the route open," said a representative from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Indian pilgrims en route to the Muktinath temple have been advised to fly from Jomson to Pokhara due to road blockages.

While many older trekking trails on the Annapurna Circuit have seen reduced use in recent years due to road development, pockets in Manang and Mustang districts remain popular. However, operators report that some trekkers are now utilizing these less-traveled paths to return, as main roads have been compromised in sections.