🔗 Share this article World's Highest Peak Emergency Operation In Progress as Blizzard Traps Nearly 1,000 People Emergency efforts are ongoing on Mount Everest following a intense blizzard that left nearly 1,000 people isolated at campsites on the east face of the summit. Several Hundred Guided to Safety Amid Heavy Snowfall Numerous hikers cut off by the snowstorm near the east side of the mountain were led to safety by rescue teams on Sunday, as exceptional precipitation hit the Himalayas. As of Sunday, 350 people had reached the remote town of Qudang, while contact had been made with the remaining 200-plus trekkers. Holiday Rush Contributed to High Visitor Numbers Visitors to the isolated area of Karma, which leads to the Kangshung east side of Mount Everest, numbered in the hundreds this period, taking advantage of an eight-day National Day holiday in the region. Heavy snow in the valley, which sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,779 feet), started late Friday and persisted throughout Saturday. Ongoing Efforts to Bring Remaining Trekkers to Safety The other hikers are scheduled to reach the safe zone in stages under the support and direction of emergency teams organised by the regional authorities. Hundreds of local villagers and response units have been sent to help clear pathways obstructing routes to the region. Uncertainty Over Local Guides and North Face Reports indicated that nearly 1,000 people had been trapped. Details were unclear whether local guides and other personnel with the trekking parties had been located. It was also unclear if trekkers near the north face of the mountain—also in the area—had been affected or not. Tourist Rush and Access Suspended The north face of Everest, due to its easy access by roadway, often attracts large numbers of visitors. October is a peak season, when skies clear with the end of the Indian monsoon. Ticket sales and entry to the entire Everest scenic area were halted from the weekend, according to announcements posted on official channels. Neighboring Region Impacted by Severe Weather To the south of the area, heavy rains caused mudslides and sudden flooding that have blocked roads, destroyed bridges, and killed at least 47 people since last week. Thirty-five people died in multiple mudslides in the eastern Ilam district bordering India. Nine people were reported unaccounted for after being swept away by flood waters, and three others were killed in electrical storms in other parts of the nation.