Himalayan Disaster: Dozens Dead, Hundreds Stranded as Rain, Snow Trigger Landslides from Darjeeling to Mt. Everest

From the Tibetan side of Mount Everest to Nepal’s towns and India’s Darjeeling hills, relentless rain and snow have triggered deadly landslides, killing dozens and trapping hundreds across the Himalayan region, according to reports on Sunday, October 5.

Blizzard traps nearly 1,000 near Mount Everest

In Tibet, almost 1,000 people are reportedly stranded on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest after a massive blizzard blocked key routes, Chinese state media said.

Rescue teams, assisted by hundreds of local villagers, are working to clear heavy snow at altitudes above 4,900 metres (16,000 feet). The blizzard began on Friday evening and continued through Saturday, authorities in Tingri County said on their official WeChat account. Ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were suspended late Saturday, Reuters reported.

Nepal and India bear the brunt

Across the border, Nepal has been hit hardest, with more than 40 people killed in flash floods and landslides since Friday. Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, said at least 43 people have died and five are missing. The eastern district of Illam has suffered the worst damage, with at least 37 fatalities from landslides.

In India’s West Bengal, nearly 20 people — including 17 confirmed by a state minister — have died in Darjeeling and nearby areas following intense rainfall and floods.

Massive flooding in North Bengal

Heavy overnight rainfall exceeding 300 mm within 12 hours inundated large parts of North Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. She noted that water flow from Bhutan and Sikkim into the Sankosh river exacerbated the flooding.

“Two iron bridges have collapsed, several roads are damaged, and vast tracts of land in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar have been submerged,” Banerjee said, adding that relief operations were underway.

Bhutan seeks India’s help amid flooding

In Bhutan, flash floods from the Amochu river left several families and workers stranded. When a Drukair helicopter failed to take off due to bad weather, Bhutan sought immediate assistance from India. A coordinated rescue effort involving Bhutanese authorities and the Indian Army helped evacuate those trapped and ensured their safety.