Approximately 30 people have died in Nepal following a fresh wave of landslides and heavy rainfall, compounding the tragedy of the catastrophic flooding earlier this month that killed more than 1,400 individuals. The national disaster management authority reports that over 1,900 families have been impacted since late last week, with at least 240 residences damaged or destroyed.
Infrastructure has suffered severe damage across the region, with numerous roads, buildings, and bridges swept away by the deluge. The Annapurna Circuit, a trekking route vital to the nation’s tourism economy, has been particularly affected. Hundreds of hikers have been forced to abandon their expeditions, with many requiring helicopter extraction from the Manang and Mustang districts.
Survivors describe treacherous conditions on their return journeys. Jake Stacy, a 21-year-old traveler from Suffolk, recounted how he and his guide were stranded by heavy snowfall near Yak Kharka. With the path to Thorang La pass unviable, they forged their own trail down steep, muddy slopes. “It was very muddy and very wet,” Stacy said after reaching Pokhara.
Other trekkers faced significant risks from unstable terrain. Australian Andrew Graham described crossing more than 15 landslides while returning from Manang village. His group was forced to spend a night in the jungle after reaching Chame, which had been evacuated due to landslide threats. A massive slide has partially blocked a river in Chame, creating a temporary lake that has flooded local homes and a crucial bridge.
Trekking guide Tse Ring Doma noted that her group encountered 28 separate landslides. She emphasized that the psychological toll was heavier than the physical exertion, given the recent memory of the August floods. “Even thunder would make us run and come out to see if anything was coming our way,” she said.
Ellen Wahlström, a Norwegian visitor, expressed gratitude for her safety, noting that while she could leave some gear behind, local residents risked losing their homes entirely. She also observed that authorities had been clearing debris from the trails with surprising speed.
While no fatalities have been reported directly within the main trekking zone, the nearby Himlung Peak area has seen four bodies recovered and 12 people still missing following an avalanche. District officials confirm that road damage in Manang is extensive, with communications disrupted in some areas.
Meanwhile, around 700 trekkers remain detained in Pokhara, prevented from starting the circuit due to safety concerns. Authorities are resisting pressure from tourism operators to reopen the route. Indian pilgrims traveling to the Muktinath temple have also been advised to fly from Jomson to Pokhara rather than drive, as road connections remain cut.
Have trekkers been advised to avoid the circuit next season entirely? The monsoon risks seem increasingly unpredictable and dangerous for visitors.
Wait, thirty people died in this recent wave? That’s a huge number. I thought the main fatalities were from the August floods earlier.
So heartbreaking to hear about the 30 deaths. The resilience of these locals after such repeated disasters is truly inspiring.