Manang Suspends Trekking For a Week Amid Avalanche Risk

The District Administration Office, Manang, has suspended trekking along the Annapurna Circuit for a week due to the risk of avalanches, even though the recent heavy snowfall has stopped.

Chief District Officer Navaraj Paudyal said trekkers have been advised not to proceed for the next seven days as large amounts of snow still cover the trails, increasing the likelihood of avalanches.

“The roads blocked by snow since Monday night have now been cleared with dozers, and vehicles can reach up to Khangsar. However, trekking routes remain closed,” Paudyal said.

Government authorities carried rescue operations in coordination with security agencies as large number of trekkers were caught off-guard by the adverse weather. According to the state-run news agency RSS, security personnel rescued hundreds of people stranded in the Tilicho Lake area and other nearby locations over the past two days.

The recent snowfall and rainfall in Manang and neighbouring districts are linked to the combined influence of Cyclone Montha, which developed over the Bay of Bengal, and a low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea. These weather systems have brought widespread rain across Nepal, with high-altitude areas in the northern mountains witnessing snowfall and lower regions receiving steady rainfall.

Meteorologists said that even trans-Himalayan districts such as Manang and Mustang—known for their arid terrain and sparse precipitation—experienced unusually heavy rainfall this week, possibly due to the growing impacts of climate change.

Weather experts have cautioned that the wet conditions and accumulated snow could continue to pose risks of landslides and avalanches in high mountain regions for the next few days. The situation is expected to improve after Saturday.