Kathmandu, Nepal (Reuters-style report) — A tragic Nepal avalanche on a remote Himalayan peak has claimed the lives of at least three climbers — including a French national and two Nepali citizens — while rescue teams continue their desperate search for four others still missing amid worsening weather conditions in the high-altitude region.
According to local authorities, the avalanche struck at around 9:00 a.m. local time (03:15 GMT) on Monday near the base camp of Mount Yalung Ri in Nepal’s Dolakha district, about 180 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu. The mountain, known for its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, stands as one of the challenging peaks in the Rolwaling Himal range.
Avalanche Strikes Without Warning
Officials said the Nepal avalanche hit suddenly, sweeping across a group of climbers and guides who had set out from base camp barely an hour earlier. The group consisted of 12 individuals — including foreign climbers from France, Italy, Germany, and Canada, along with Nepali mountain guides.
District Police Chief Gyan Kumar Mahato confirmed that three bodies had been located, while four more climbers — two Italians, one German, and one Canadian — remain missing and are feared dead. “Three bodies have been seen and rescue teams have to find four more,” Mahato told the BBC. “Poor visibility and snowfall have slowed the operation.”
Five other Nepali guides who managed to return to base camp sustained injuries but are reported to be in stable condition. They were quickly airlifted to safety for medical treatment.
It remains unclear whether the two deceased Nepali climbers were professional guides accompanying the team or were part of another expedition in the same area.
Difficult Terrain and Weather Delay Rescue
Rescue efforts have been severely hindered by adverse weather conditions in the Dolakha region. Helicopters deployed by Nepal’s Home Ministry and private operators managed to reach the Na Gaun area, located about five hours from the Yalung Ri base camp, but were unable to proceed further due to heavy snowfall and fog.
Local police and army rescue teams are currently trekking through hazardous terrain to reach the avalanche zone. “The snow depth and unpredictable terrain make it extremely difficult for ground teams,” Mahato said, adding that “weather changes by the hour in this part of the Himalayas.”
Officials said that logistical challenges, including communication blackouts and treacherous paths covered in ice, are further delaying search operations.
Climbing Team’s Expedition Plans
According to The Kathmandu Post, the expedition group had been preparing to summit the nearby Dolma Khang peak, a 6,332-meter (20,774-foot) mountain close to Yalung Ri. The climbers were reportedly acclimatizing in the area when the Nepal avalanche struck unexpectedly.
Dolma Khang, though less known than Mount Everest or Annapurna, is a technically challenging peak favored by seasoned climbers looking to avoid crowded routes. The team, consisting of multiple European nationals and experienced Nepali guides, had obtained climbing permits from the Nepal Tourism Department earlier this autumn.
Separate Search for Missing Italian Climbers in Western Nepal
In a separate incident highlighting the mounting dangers of autumn climbing season, two Italian mountaineers remain missing after attempting to scale Panbari Mountain in western Nepal. The missing climbers, identified as Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, were part of a three-man Italian expedition accompanied by three local guides.
The third Italian climber, Velter Perlino, aged 65, was rescued by helicopter after being stranded for several days at high altitude. Local reports indicate that rescue efforts are ongoing to locate Farronato and Caputo, though worsening snow conditions have complicated aerial operations.
Autumn Season: Ideal Yet Increasingly Unpredictable
Autumn is traditionally regarded as prime climbing season in Nepal, with clear skies, milder temperatures, and relatively stable weather patterns. However, the past few years have seen a growing number of avalanches, landslides, and extreme weather events, which experts attribute to the effects of climate change on the Himalayas.
The recent Nepal avalanche follows a week of volatile weather triggered by Cyclone Montha, which brought heavy rain and unseasonal snowfall across large swathes of the country. Dozens of trekkers were reported stranded in various Himalayan regions, and several were rescued by Nepal’s army and local authorities.
Last week, two British and one Irish woman were rescued from the remote Mustang region after being trapped for several days due to heavy snow. Similarly, in October, hundreds of hikers were stranded near Mount Everest as sudden storms grounded flights and blocked trekking routes.
Climate Change Impact on Himalayan Safety
Experts warn that the frequency and intensity of avalanches in Nepal are increasing as global temperatures rise. The melting of permafrost and shifting snow layers are destabilizing mountain slopes, making traditional climbing routes riskier.
“Even minor weather changes can now trigger deadly avalanches in areas previously considered safe,” said Dr. Nirmal Shrestha, a climatologist at Tribhuvan University. “The Nepal avalanche incidents this year show how climate variability is altering the entire mountaineering landscape.”
A 2023 study published in Nature Climate Change noted that the Himalayan glaciers are melting 65% faster than in previous decades, directly impacting snow stability and increasing the likelihood of avalanches.
Human Cost of Adventure Tourism
Despite the rising risks, Nepal continues to draw thousands of climbers each year eager to conquer its iconic peaks. Tourism is a vital source of income for the Himalayan nation, which issues hundreds of climbing permits annually for peaks above 6,000 meters.
But with adventure tourism comes an undeniable human cost. In 2024 alone, more than 20 climbers have lost their lives in various Nepal avalanche and weather-related incidents, underscoring the inherent dangers of high-altitude expeditions.
Veteran climbers say that preparedness, accurate forecasting, and local expertise can mitigate risks, but unpredictable mountain weather remains a powerful and sometimes lethal force. “You can train for everything, but you can’t control nature,” said Sherpa guide Pasang Lama, who has participated in more than a dozen rescues in Dolakha over the past decade.
Government and International Response
Following Monday’s Nepal avalanche, Nepal’s Home Ministry said it was coordinating with the French, Italian, and German embassies to assist in repatriation and rescue efforts. The ministry confirmed that a specialized high-altitude search team and medical responders had been dispatched to the affected area.
Meanwhile, the French Embassy in Kathmandu released a statement expressing condolences and said it was “in close contact with local authorities and the families of those affected.” The Italian Foreign Ministry also confirmed it was “monitoring the situation with deep concern.”
Nepal’s Tourism Department has called for stricter safety checks and improved weather monitoring systems for climbing expeditions. “We need to rethink how permits are issued during periods of unstable weather,” said department spokesperson Kiran Bhattarai. “Safety has to come before summit ambitions.”
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A Community in Mourning
In Dolakha, where the Nepal avalanche struck, local residents and guides are in mourning. Many of them depend on seasonal mountaineering and trekking jobs to support their families. “Every year we lose someone to the mountains,” said Lhakpa Sherpa, a guide who knew one of the victims. “We pray for the missing climbers and hope they come back alive.”
As darkness and snow descend on the Himalayan slopes, rescue teams continue their uphill battle against time and nature. Officials have confirmed that operations will continue “as long as weather allows” in hopes of recovering those still missing.
Key Takeaways: Nepal Avalanche Tragedy
- Confirmed deaths: 3 (1 French, 2 Nepali)
- Missing climbers: 4 (2 Italians, 1 German, 1 Canadian)
- Injured guides: 5 Nepalis, not critical
- Location: Yalung Ri base camp, Dolakha district, northeastern Nepal
- Separate incident: Two Italian climbers missing in western Nepal’s Panbari mountain
- Weather factor: Cyclone Montha-triggered snow and rain contributed to avalanche risk
- Keyword focus: Nepal avalanche, Himalayan disaster, mountaineering safety, Dolakha rescue operations
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Conclusion
The Nepal avalanche tragedy on Yalung Ri has once again highlighted the unpredictable and perilous nature of Himalayan mountaineering. As global temperatures rise and weather systems grow more erratic, the balance between adventure and safety becomes ever more fragile. For climbers seeking the thrill of the world’s highest peaks, the call of the mountains remains irresistible — but the risks are as real as the rewards.
