The Everest blizzard rescue operation has saved more than 350 trekkers trapped in the Tibetan Himalayas after an unexpected snowstorm swept through one of the world’s most challenging regions. Yet, despite the progress, about 200 trekkers remain stranded in the cold, treacherous landscape around Mount Everest, awaiting urgent evacuation.
The blizzard — described as one of the most severe early-October snowfalls in recent years — pummeled Tibet’s Tingri region, a major gateway to the northern ascent of Mount Everest. Local officials say the weather hit without warning, catching hundreds of trekkers and guides off guard.
350 Trekkers Rescued from the Icy Slopes
According to China’s CCTV, the rescued trekkers reached Qudang township, where emergency shelters and medical tents have been set up to help those suffering from frostbite, dehydration, and hypothermia.
More than 500 people were initially stranded when unusually heavy snow and rain battered the Himalayan routes late Friday through Saturday. The snowstorm quickly turned into blizzard-like conditions, blocking mountain paths and leaving teams with limited visibility.
A rescuer told local media that helicopters were unable to reach higher altitudes because of the storm, forcing teams to rely on ground-based operations and local Tibetan guides to lead people down from the frozen trails.
“It was so wet and cold in the mountains, and hypothermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, a member of an 18-person team that made it safely to Qudang.
“The weather this year is not normal. The guide said he had never seen such conditions in October.”
200 Still Awaiting Evacuation
Authorities confirmed that around 200 trekkers remain stranded as of Sunday, scattered across high-altitude passes. Rescuers from the Tingri County government are leading phased evacuations toward Qudang.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether all local guides and support staff have been accounted for. There is also uncertainty over the status of trekkers attempting routes closer to Everest’s north face, where conditions may be even harsher.
Local authorities have suspended all ticket sales and tourist entries to the Everest Scenic Area until further notice. The Tingri County Tourism Company issued a public notice on WeChat stating that safety assessments are ongoing and routes will reopen only when weather conditions stabilize.
Extreme Weather and Growing Concerns
The blizzard struck at elevations averaging 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), where thin air and freezing temperatures can quickly turn deadly. Heavy snowfall began late Friday and intensified through Saturday, burying campsites and damaging trekking gear.
Meteorologists have attributed the sudden weather shift to anomalous monsoon behavior interacting with early winter currents from the Tibetan Plateau — an increasingly common pattern linked to climate change.
Environmental analysts note that extreme weather events in the Himalayas have become more frequent and unpredictable, posing new risks to climbers and local residents.
Rising Global Warnings
The Everest blizzard rescue has sparked renewed global attention on the dangers of trekking in an era of volatile weather patterns. Himalayan regions have seen more avalanches, flash floods, and snowstorms in recent years, often catching climbers off guard despite improved forecasting.
Experts are urging both Nepalese and Chinese authorities to enforce stricter seasonal regulations, provide real-time weather alerts, and invest in emergency shelter infrastructure along key routes like Tingri and Qomolangma.
“Climate unpredictability is rewriting the rules of high-altitude trekking,” said Dr. Pema Dorjee, a climatologist based in Kathmandu.
“What used to be the safest months for Everest expeditions are no longer guaranteed.”
Voices from the Mountain
For many survivors, the ordeal was a chilling reminder of nature’s power.
Trekkers described a scene of chaos and endurance — tents collapsing under snow, supplies freezing overnight, and entire teams hiking through knee-deep drifts to reach safety.
“We lost sight of our trail markers completely,” one trekker told reporters. “The snow was blinding, and our GPS failed. Without local guides, we wouldn’t have survived.”
Authorities have since deployed additional rescue personnel and drones to locate missing climbers, while local monasteries and villages have opened their doors to provide warmth and food to evacuees.
A Race Against Time
As the Everest blizzard rescue continues, rescuers face mounting challenges — worsening visibility, unstable snow layers, and freezing winds. Satellite images show a vast stretch of white blanketing the Tibetan side of Everest, a stark reminder of the mountain’s unforgiving nature.
Officials hope to complete all evacuations before the next snow system arrives later this week. For now, hundreds of trekkers are safe — but the mountain still holds many in its icy grasp.
Source: Al Jazeera
