Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Daily Life in Khumbu Region

Heavy snowfall since Tuesday morning has disrupted daily life in the Sagarmatha (Everest) region of Solukhumbu district.

Snow has blanketed areas above Dingboche (4,410 meters) deep inside the Khumbu region, while Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters) — the gateway to Everest — and surrounding areas are receiving rainfall.

“There is heavy snow above Dingboche while it is raining in the lower areas. All tourists are staying inside hotels. It is not possible to go outside,” Lamakaji Sherpa, chairman of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, told the state-run news agency RSS.

According to local authorities, more than 3,000 foreign tourists are currently in the region during this peak trekking season. On Monday alone, about 800 tourists arrived in Lukla from Kathmandu, expecting clear mountain views typical of October as the monsoon subsides. However, a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal has disrupted weather patterns, bringing unseasonal snow and rain across the Everest region.

The District Administration Office has urged tourists to avoid travel, citing trekking routes covered with snow and the risk of getting lost.

“Due to adverse weather, all tourists have been requested to stay safe and remain in hotels or homes,” Chief District Officer Lila Kumari KC Pandey told RSS, adding that a rescue team has been kept on standby in case of emergencies.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Manojit Kunwar of the District Police Office told RSS that a temporary police post has been established in Dingboche, a small town that leads to the Everest Base Camp. DSP Kunwar added that continuous communication is being maintained with officers there to track tourist movements and ensure their safety.

It is estimated that around 2,000 foreign tourists are currently above Dingboche in areas like Thugla, Lobuche and Gorakshep – the last settlement near the base camp.

Incessant snowfall and rain have sharply increased cold in the region. “The weather has become very cold since Tuesday morning. Snow has covered the entire village, and everyone is staying indoors,” said Pemba Sherpa, a resident of Khumjung.

Continuous snowfall has disrupted daily life and movement across the Khumbu region. Areas above Lukla fall under the Khumbu region, while the lower-lying zones below Lukla fall under the Solu administration. — With inputs from RSS