Avalanche in Nepal's Manang District Claims Lives and Leaves Many Missing

A tragic avalanche at the base camp of Mt. Himlung in Nepal's Manang district has led to the deaths of four individuals, with twelve others still missing. Rescue efforts are ongoing, aided by improved weather conditions after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding and landslides in the region. The incident highlights the risks associated with high-altitude expeditions, especially following recent disasters in the area. Authorities are urging caution as they mobilize resources to assist those affected. This event comes on the heels of a catastrophic flooding disaster that claimed over 1,400 lives near the Nepal-China border, raising concerns about safety in the region's mountainous areas.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 28, 2026, 16:34 IST

Tragic Avalanche at Mt. Himlung Base Camp

Photo: IANS

Kathmandu, September 28: A devastating avalanche has resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left 12 others unaccounted for at the base camp of Mt. Himlung, located in the western district of Manang, according to a senior official.

Mukti Prasad Khanal, the chief district officer of Manang, reported that the bodies of four victims have been retrieved from the site. Two of these bodies have been transported to Kathmandu, while the other two have been airlifted to Chame, the district's headquarters.

At the time of the avalanche, over two dozen expedition guides and support personnel from various companies were present at the base camp of the 7,126-meter mountain, preparing for the autumn climbing season by fixing ropes and setting up tents.

Khanal mentioned that 11 individuals have managed to establish contact following the avalanche, with a total of 27 people believed to have been at the base camp when the disaster occurred.

Rescue operations commenced early Monday, utilizing helicopters to assist in the efforts at the base camp. Improved weather conditions have facilitated these operations after several days of heavy rainfall that caused landslides and flooding across various regions, including Manang.

This incident follows a recent catastrophic flooding event near the Nepal-China border, which resulted from a significant glacier collapse and landslide, claiming over 1,400 lives and leaving more than 5,000 missing.

Tourism is a vital economic sector for Nepal, and in the wake of the Bhotekoshi flooding disaster, the country has been actively encouraging tourists to visit, assuring that many areas remain safe.

Prior to the avalanche, the District Administration Office in Manang had imposed a ban on trekking in several high-altitude regions from September 25 to 27 due to forecasts predicting heavy rainfall and snowfall in the higher Himalayan areas.

This decision was made by the District Security Committee to mitigate the risk of fatalities due to adverse weather conditions.

Since September 24, Nepal has been experiencing continuous rainfall, leading to rising water levels in numerous rivers and prompting authorities to advise residents along riverbanks to evacuate to higher ground.

In response to the situation, the Nepali Army has been deployed to address a landslide-induced dam obstructing a significant section of the Marshyangdi River in its upper reaches. Khanal confirmed that army personnel are on-site to prepare for potential blasting of the naturally formed dam.