When a sudden blizzard slammed the eastern slopes of Mount Everest on the night of October 5, 2025, hundreds of trekkers found themselves stuck in knee‑deep snow, and rescue teams scrambled to bring them down before the storm grew any worse.
What Happened: The Unexpected Storm
The snowstorm, described by many as "unprecedented" for this time of year, rolled in just as China’s eight‑day National Day holiday was drawing tourists to the region. Ordinarily, October brings relatively mild temperatures to the Himalayas, but that weekend the mountain was blanketed in white, and heavy raindrops battered Nepal, Bhutan, and northeast India as well.
According to Reuters, aerial footage showed hikers trudging through a blizzard that turned campsite corridors into white‑out corridors. The storm hit the Everest Scenic Area on the Tibetan side, cutting off the main route to the base camp and leaving an estimated 1,000 people stranded at first.
Rescue Operations: 350 Hikers Saved
By Sunday morning, Tibetan authorities reported that 350 adventurers had been shepherded down to the small town of Qudang. Chinese state media confirmed that all 350 reached the town safely by noon local time on Monday.
One of the rescued trekkers, Dong Shuchang, a Chinese hiker who posted on Weibo, described the ordeal: "It was the most extreme weather I've ever faced in all my hiking experiences, without question." His vivid description echoed the sentiment of many who battled wind gusts exceeding 70 km/h.
Rescue crews employed a combination of helicopter lifts, rope teams, and local Sherpa guides to navigate the treacherous paths. The operation was coordinated across multiple agencies, with Chinese state media broadcasting live updates to keep families informed.
The Remaining 200: Still Trapped on the Mountain
Despite the success, roughly 200 hikers remained at the Everest Scenic Area as of October 6. These climbers were camped at altitudes above 5,500 meters, where oxygen levels are thin and temperatures can plunge below –15°C even without a storm.
Rescuers continued to deploy high‑altitude helicopters, though visibility remained poor. Nepalese authorities said they were monitoring the situation closely and had placed additional medical tents at the base camp on the Nepali side.
"We are prepared to launch a full‑scale rescue at first light tomorrow," a spokesperson for Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism told The Kathmandu Post. The statement underscored the cross‑border cooperation that has become essential in Himalayan emergencies.
Wider Impact: Floods, Landslides, and Regional Losses
The blizzard was only part of a broader weather system that unleashed torrential rains across the greater Himalayan basin. In Nepal, the sudden deluge triggered landslides that buried villages in the Myagdi and Parbat districts. Bhutan reported swollen rivers cutting off road access to several remote hamlets.
At least 60 people have died in the combined floods and landslides, according to early reports from local health offices. Entire settlements in the foothills of the Himalayas were left underwater, forcing thousands to seek shelter in makeshift camps.
These secondary disasters highlight how a single meteorological event can cascade into multiple humanitarian crises, especially in regions where infrastructure is already fragile.
Expert Analysis: A Changing Climate in the Himalayas
Climate scientists have warned that the Himalayas are warming faster than the global average. Dr. Anil Sharma, a glaciologist at the University of Delhi, explained: "Warmer air holds more moisture, which can translate into heavier snowfall at higher elevations, even during months we traditionally consider 'safe.'"
His research cites a 15% increase in extreme snowfall events over the past decade, a trend that aligns with the timing of this October blizzard. The implications are clear: trekking season windows may shrink, and emergency services will need to adapt to more frequent severe weather.
What’s Next: Ongoing Efforts and Future Safety Measures
- Continued aerial rescues are scheduled for the next 48 hours, weather permitting.
- All trekking agencies operating on the Tibetan side have been instructed to suspend new permits until the storm fully passes.
- Both Chinese and Nepalese tourism boards are reviewing emergency protocols, with a focus on real‑time weather alerts for hikers.
- Local communities are receiving emergency supplies to rebuild after the floods and landslides.
For now, the priority remains the safe extraction of the remaining 200 hikers and providing aid to families affected by the downstream disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trekkers are still trapped on Mount Everest?
As of the latest update on October 6, about 200 hikers remain at the Everest Scenic Area on the Tibetan side, awaiting rescue as weather conditions improve.
What caused the sudden blizzard on Everest?
A fast‑moving low‑pressure system dumped heavy snow and rain across the Himalayas. Warmer air masses carried more moisture than usual, resulting in an unusually intense October storm.
Are tourists safe in Nepal’s Everest region after the storm?
Yes. Nepalese officials confirmed that all tourists who were in the Nepal side of the region are safe, and trekking to Everest Base Camp has resumed with heightened monitoring.
What broader impacts has the storm had on the Himalayas?
Beyond the blizzard, the system caused torrential rains that triggered floods and landslides across Nepal, Bhutan, and northeast India, killing at least 60 people and destroying villages.
How are authorities improving safety for future trekking seasons?
Both Chinese and Nepalese tourism ministries are revising emergency response plans, investing in real‑time weather monitoring, and tightening permit issuance during high‑risk periods.
Sihle Tana
I am a journalist with a passion for covering daily news in Africa. My work has taken me across the continent, reporting on significant events and stories that impact communities. I strive to bring insightful and comprehensive news coverage to my readers.
Operational analyses indicate that the high‑altitude rescue assets were constrained by a wind profile exceeding 70 km/h, which dramatically reduced rotor efficiency for the Mi‑8 helicopters deployed at 5,500 m AGL.
Ground teams employed static rope systems rated for 12 kN tension to ascend the serac‑laden couloirs, while Sherpa guides coordinated GPS waypoints to mitigate disorientation in white‑out conditions.
Atmospheric pressure readings hovered around 500 hPa, necessitating supplemental oxygen for any personnel operating above 5,800 m.
Logistical pipelines were established at Qudang, utilizing modular field hospitals equipped with portable hyperbaric chambers to address altitude sickness.
Overall, the inter‑agency command‑and‑control architecture functioned within accepted response time metrics, despite the anomalous meteorological variables.