The avalanche struck as Nepal faced a wider weather emergency, with swollen rivers, flash flooding and landslides disrupting roads and forcing evacuations across several districts. Authorities have warned people in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain alert as the rains continue.
BY PC Bureau
September 27: An avalanche swept through the base camp of 7,126-metre Himlung Himal in Nepal’s Manang district on Sunday, leaving at least 10 climbers and support staff missing as persistent rain and heavy snowfall triggered floods, landslides and road blockages across the Himalayan country.
The avalanche struck the Himlung Himal base camp in the Nar Phu area early Sunday, according to the Expedition Operators Association Nepal. Eight of those missing are associated with Himalayan Holidays Nepal and two with Imagine Nepal. Rescue and search efforts were being monitored by the Department of Tourism, which was gathering further details about the incident.
Heavy snowfall had already forced climbers to retreat from the mountain after authorities issued weather warnings last week. Some expedition and support staff, however, remained at the base camp when the avalanche struck.
The disaster came as authorities warned against trekking and mountaineering in high-altitude areas because of continuing rain and snowfall. In Manang, snowfall and rain have persisted in the upper reaches of the district since Friday, while authorities have advised against trekking.
TRAGEDY IN NEPAL: 10 MISSING AFTER MASSIVE AVALANCHE HITS HIMLUNG HIMAL BASE CAMP
A powerful avalanche has struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in Nepal’s Manang district, leaving at least 10 climbers and support staff unaccounted for following days of relentless heavy…
— Diganta Guha (@diganta_guha) September 27, 2026
Rivers rise, settlements inundated
The same weather system has caused widespread flooding and landslides across Nepal since Wednesday, disrupting roads, inundating settlements and forcing evacuations.
In western Nepal, the Narayani River has overflowed into settlements in Nawalparasi West, with more than 200 houses inundated in Susta Rural Municipality. Around 400 residents were moved to safety as the river continued to rise.
In Butwal, authorities evacuated families living along the Tinau River after the water level crossed the warning mark. Security personnel have been deployed in flood-prone areas as the rain continues.
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The Narayani and Saptakoshi rivers have also risen sharply, affecting settlements in Nawalparasi West and Saptari. Landslides and flooding have disrupted several major highways and transport corridors, including routes linking Kathmandu with the western and northern districts.
Road links have been disrupted in several parts of the country, with landslides blocking or damaging sections of the Prithvi Highway, BP Highway, Siddhartha Highway and other major routes. Long-distance transport services have also been suspended in parts of Karnali because of the risk of further floods and landslides.
Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned of continuing rises in major rivers and maintains active warnings for rainfall, flooding, landslides and avalanches.
The latest emergency adds to a growing weather crisis across Nepal, with mountain districts facing heavy snowfall and lower-lying areas battling swollen rivers, inundation and landslides.
Authorities have urged people living near rivers and steep slopes to remain alert, follow official warnings and move to safer ground before conditions deteriorate further.
