Beijing, October 6(HS): Rescue operations are in full swing in Tibet after a powerful snowstorm trapped nearly 1,000 hikers and climbers on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest, Chinese state media reported on Sunday. The stranded trekkers were caught in extreme weather conditions at altitudes exceeding 4,900 metres (16,000 feet) when heavy snowfall struck the region late Friday.

Hundreds of rescuers, including local villagers and mountain response teams, have been deployed to clear snow-blocked routes and reach a series of high-altitude campsites. So far, about 350 individuals have been rescued and guided to safety in Qudang township, according to Reuters.“It was so wet and cold — hypothermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, one of the rescued hikers.

“Our guide said he had never experienced such weather in October, and it all happened so suddenly.”Rescue coordination units, including the Blue Sky Rescue Team, reported multiple calls for help as tents collapsed under the weight of heavy snow.

Several trekkers were already showing signs of hypothermia, officials said. In response, Tingri County Tourism Company has suspended entry and ticket sales to the Everest Scenic Area until further notice.The storm comes amid a wave of extreme weather across the region.

In neighbouring Nepal, torrential rains have triggered deadly landslides and flash floods, killing at least 47 people and destroying bridges in the past two days. Meanwhile, in eastern China, Typhoon Matmo has forced the evacuation of nearly 150,000 residents.

Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,849 metres, has long been a magnet for adventurers, but the climb remains fraught with danger. Overcrowding, environmental challenges, and sudden weather shifts have increasingly turned the mountain into one of the most perilous expeditions in modern mountaineering.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar