At least 10 people are missing after an avalanche hit a base camp at a remote mountain in Himlung Himal in Manang’s Nar Phu region, where climbers and support staff were preparing for an expedition.
Trekking officials said that the bad weather has prevented helicopters from th reaching the 7,126-meter peak, the Kathmandu Post reported.
The Sherpas and kitchen staff were fixing ropes and setting up camp at the base camp for the arrival of a group from the UAE on October 1 when the the avalanche swept the mountainside.
The disaster comes just a week after a major flood disaster struck the Nepal-China border after a glacier collapse. Around 1,300 people were killed, and more than 5000 persons are missing.
The avalanche came amid severe weather warnings for parts of the country.
The incident was confirmed by Rishi Bhandari, general secretary of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal. Bhandari said that two of the missing were affiliated with Imagine Nepal Pvt Ltd, , while the remaining eight were with Himalayan Holidays Nepal.
Himalayan Holidays Trekking founder Bibhuti Chand Thakur has been coordinating the rescue effort with government officials and private operators.
The team initially reported that eight of the 22 members could not be contacted at the site. The number rose to 14 later. All of the missing persons are Nepalis.
Renowned climber Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, owner of another company running an expedition on the mountain, told CNN two of his kitchen staff are among the missing.
The avalanche struck the mountain after several days of snowfall in the region.
Sherpa said that expedition teams and rope-fixing teams had evacuated the mountain slopes after a weather warning was issued last week, although some people stayed behind.
The peak is a popular high altitude climbing sort for mountaineers seeking experience at altitude. Reaching the mountain also presents logistical difficulties.
Nepal has also been facing adverse weather conditions since Friday.
Tourism authorities have urged trekkers and climbers to suspend activities as conditions deteriorate.
