Snowstorm traps hundreds of hikers on Mount Everest

Heavy snow has trapped hundreds of hikers at tourist campsites on a slope of Mount Everest in Tibet, Chinese state media reported late Sunday.

About 350 hikers had reached a meeting point in Tingri County, while rescuers remained in contact with another 200, according to state broadcaster CCTV. There was no immediate update on Monday regarding ongoing rescue operations.

The stranded climbers were at elevations above 4,900 metres (16,000 feet). Mount Everest stands at roughly 8,850 metres(29,000 feet).

A hiker who descended before the snowfall blocked the route told Jimu News that other climbers reported tents being crushed by snow. Hundreds of rescuers were deployed on Sunday to clear paths and evacuate those trapped.

The snowstorm hit during China’s weeklong national holiday, increasing the number of hikers on the mountain and complicating rescue efforts.

According to CNN, heavy snowfall began on Friday evening in a valley averaging 4,200 meters (13,800 feet) in elevation and continued through Saturday, trapping nearly 1,000 trekkers.

The remaining trekkers were set to arrive in Qudang in stages under the guidance of local government-organized rescue teams, the report said.

Chen’s party descended on Sunday and was greeted by villagers after enduring a harrowing night of heavy snow combined with thunder and lightning. She recalled accepting sweet tea and warmth from villagers: “Back in the village, we had a meal and were finally warm.”

Hundreds of local villagers and rescue teams were deployed to clear snow blocking access to the area, CNN noted.

CNN reported that it was unclear whether local guides and support staff had been fully accounted for, or if trekkers near the north face of Everest were affected. The north face, accessible via paved road, regularly attracts large numbers of tourists, especially in October, the peak season following the Indian monsoon.

Ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were suspended from late Saturday, according to notices on official WeChat accounts of Tingri County Tourism Company.

To the south, in Nepal, heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods that have blocked roads, washed away bridges, and killed at least 47 people since Friday.

CNN highlighted the severity of the disasters affecting both Tibet and Nepal as rescue and relief operations continued.

With inputs from AP