Everest Blizzard 2025: Hundreds Rescued in Tibet Snowstorm

 

Hundreds of Trekkers Rescued After Deadly Everest Blizzard in Tibet

Hundreds of trekkers have been rescued after being stranded by a sudden blizzard near Mount Everest’s eastern face in Tibet, Chinese state media reported Sunday, as unusually heavy snow and rain battered the Himalayas and triggered deadly landslides across the region.

More than 350 trekkers reached Qudang township safely, while rescuers established contact with another 200 still descending from the remote Karma Valley, according to China Central Television (CCTV). Nearly 1,000 people had been trapped by the storm earlier in the weekend, including foreign tourists, local guides, and yak herders.

“It was so wet and cold in the mountains, and hypothermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, a survivor from an 18-member trekking group. “The guide said he had never encountered such weather in October. It happened all too suddenly.”

Chen’s team described a night of chaos — heavy snowfall mixed with thunder and lightning, collapsing tents, and temperatures plunging below freezing. “Back in the village, we had a meal and were finally warm,” she said tearfully.

Rescue efforts intensified Sunday as local villagers and emergency teams worked around the clock to clear blocked trails and guide stranded trekkers to safety. Ticket sales and access to the Everest Scenic Area have been suspended as authorities assess the full extent of the damage.

The Karma Valley, which leads to the Kangshung Face of Everest, sits at an average elevation of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). The area, known for its alpine forests and meltwater streams, was popular this week among Chinese tourists taking advantage of the National Day holiday.

Meanwhile, to the south in Nepal, the same weather system unleashed landslides and flash floods, killing at least 47 people and washing away bridges and roads. Thirty-five deaths were reported in the Ilam district near the Indian border, while nine others remain missing.

Meteorologists say the region has experienced anomalous precipitation and temperature drops linked to changing monsoon patterns — warning that similar Himalayan storms could become more frequent.

Key Developments

• 350 trekkers rescued from Mount Everest’s eastern face.

• 200+ more in contact with rescue teams in Karma Valley.

• Nearly 1,000 initially trapped due to heavy snow and ice.

• Nepal reports 47 deaths from related landslides and floods.

• Everest Scenic Area access suspended until further notice.