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Emergency efforts are ongoing on Mount Everest following a intense blizzard that left close to a thousand people isolated at base camps on the east face of the summit.

Several Hundred Guided to Safety Amid Unusual Precipitation

Numerous hikers stranded by the snowstorm near the east side of the mountain were led to safety by rescue teams on Sunday, as exceptional precipitation pummelled the Himalayan region.

As of Sunday, three hundred and fifty individuals had arrived at the remote town of Qudang, while contact had been established with the remaining 200-plus trekkers.

Holiday Rush Contributed to High Visitor Numbers

Visitors to the remote valley of Karma, which leads to the eastern Kangshung face of Everest, totaled several hundred this week, taking advantage of an eight-day National Day holiday in the region.

Snowfall in the region, which sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (over 13,700 feet), began on Friday evening and persisted throughout Saturday.

Continued Operations to Bring Remaining Trekkers to Safety

The other hikers are scheduled to reach the safe zone in phases under the guidance and assistance of emergency teams organised by the regional authorities.

Hundreds of local villagers and response units have been sent to help remove snow blocking access to the area.

Uncertainty Over Local Guides and Other Areas

Reports indicated that nearly 1,000 people had been stranded. It was not specified whether local guides and other personnel with the trekking parties had been accounted for.

It was also unclear if hikers near the northern side of the mountain—also in the area—had been affected or not.

Tourist Rush and Entry Suspended

The north face of Mount Everest, due to its easy access by paved road, often attracts many of visitors. October is a peak season, when weather improves with the end of the Indian monsoon.

Ticket sales and access to the entire Everest scenic area were suspended from the weekend, according to announcements posted on local platforms.

Neighboring Region Impacted by Heavy Rains

To the southern side of the region, heavy rains caused mudslides and sudden flooding that have blocked roads, washed away bridges, and claimed over forty-seven lives since Friday.

Thirty-five individuals died in separate landslides in the Ilam eastern region near the Indian border. Nine people were reported missing after being carried off by rising waters, and three more were fatally struck in electrical storms in other parts of the nation.