Avalanche Strikes Nepal’s Annapurna Base Camp, Seventeen Indian Tourists Rescued in Swift Joint Operation

Kathmandu: Security forces on Thursday rescued 72 climbers, including 17 Indian tourists, who were stranded due to heavy snowfall and an avalanche near the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in Nepal's Myagdi district. The operation was carried out by a joint team of the Armed Police Force (APF) and the Nepal Police, with local volunteers playing a key role. All the rescued tourists are now safe and are being accommodated in the Annapurna Rural Municipality. 

According to sources, all the foreign tourists trapped in the avalanche were Indian citizens who were on the Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking route, known as the "Hidden Valley." The route connects Myagdi and Mustang districts, but continuous rain and snowfall that began Monday night completely blocked the trek route. Temperatures in this high-altitude region dropped rapidly, endangering the lives of the tourists. A special rescue team deployed from Mustang rescued everyone safely from an altitude of 4,190 meters. 

Indian tourists were stranded in Hidden Valley

Rescue operation carried out by removing snow from the roads
Deputy Superintendent of Police Lil Bahadur Bhujel said, "Our team cleared snow from blocked roads and evacuated all the tourists to safety. There were no casualties in the operation." A senior APF official said that the tourists were unable to return due to bad weather, but are now staying at local lodges. They will be able to return to Kathmandu once the weather clears and will then leave for their homes. 

Trekking banned till October 31

Badri Prasad Tiwari, the chief district officer of Myagdi, has imposed a complete ban on trekking to the Annapurna base camp until October 31 for safety reasons. "This step has been taken in view of the continuous snowfall and potential dangers. Tourists are advised to check the weather forecast," he said. The ban has been imposed to prevent further accidents in the area. 

A total of more than 1500 tourists were saved

The incident highlights the dangers of changing weather in Nepal's Himalayan region. Recently, heavy snowfall in Myagdi and Manang districts left hundreds of tourists stranded. The APF reported that a total of more than 1,500 tourists have been rescued in the Annapurna region, with Indian tourists constituting the majority. Tourism experts say such accidents are increasing due to climate change and advise tourists to trek with advanced equipment and guides.