A sudden and severe blizzard on the Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest has trapped close to one thousand hikers in remote high-altitude camps, triggering one of the largest rescue operations in the region in recent years. The storm struck unexpectedly during China’s National Day “Golden Week” holiday, when thousands of tourists traditionally travel to scenic destinations, including Everest’s eastern approaches.
The blizzard swept through the area on Friday evening, rapidly intensifying overnight. Heavy snowfall blanketed the mountain’s eastern slopes, piling up to around a meter deep in some places and collapsing tents at camps near altitudes of 4,900 meters and higher. The storm isolated groups of trekkers, guides, and support personnel, cutting off established trails and making descent nearly impossible. Many of the stranded individuals were located in camps scattered across Tingri County, including the township of Qudang, a popular gateway for high-altitude tourism on the Tibetan side of the mountain.
Authorities estimate that nearly 1,000 people were initially caught in the storm. By Sunday, rescue teams had managed to evacuate or guide more than 350 individuals to lower elevations, while hundreds remained stranded in remote locations. Rescue operations have been hampered by the terrain, frigid temperatures, and blocked routes, but communication has been maintained with many groups through cell phones and radios. Teams from Tibet’s Blue Sky Rescue organization, local villagers, and government emergency personnel have joined forces to dig out trails, clear snow, and reach the isolated camps.
The timing of the blizzard compounded the crisis. October is typically considered one of the more stable months for Himalayan trekking, positioned between the summer monsoon and the onset of winter. Many travelers were caught off guard by the ferocity of the storm, which meteorologists say developed rapidly and was stronger than usual for this period. With many hikers in the area due to the national holiday, the number of people requiring assistance quickly overwhelmed available local resources.
Conditions at high altitude have increased the risks for those still trapped. Temperatures have plunged well below freezing, and the combination of wind chill, altitude sickness, and limited shelter raises the potential for hypothermia and other medical emergencies. Rescue teams are racing against time to reach the remaining hikers before conditions deteriorate further. Helicopter evacuations are limited on the Tibetan side due to both altitude and regulatory restrictions, forcing most operations to rely on ground-based teams working through deep snow and challenging terrain.
In response to the crisis, authorities suspended ticket sales and closed the Mount Everest Scenic Area on the Tibetan side to prevent additional visitors from entering the region. Rescue teams are continuing their efforts as weather conditions slowly improve, though scattered snow showers remain a possibility in the coming days.
The storm also affected the Nepal side of the mountain range, where heavy rains associated with the same weather system triggered flooding and landslides, resulting in multiple fatalities. The incident underscores the unpredictability of extreme weather in high mountain regions and highlights the vulnerability of mass tourism during sudden natural events. As operations continue, officials are prioritizing the safe evacuation of all remaining hikers while assessing the broader impact of the storm on infrastructure and future tourism in the region.