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Emergency efforts are ongoing on the world's tallest mountain following a intense blizzard that stranded nearly 1,000 individuals trapped at base camps on the east face of the summit.

Several Hundred Guided to Safety Amid Unusual Snowfall

Numerous hikers stranded by the blizzard near the eastern face of the peak were safely guided by emergency responders on the weekend, as exceptional snow and rain hit the Himalayan region.

As of Sunday, 350 people had reached the remote town of Qudang, while communication had been made with the remaining 200-plus trekkers.

Peak Season Contributed to High Crowds

Visitors to the isolated area of Karma, which provides access to the Kangshung east side of Mount Everest, numbered in the hundreds this week, taking advantage of an extended holiday break in the area.

Heavy snow in the valley, which sits at an elevation averaging 4,200 metres (over 13,700 feet), started late Friday and persisted all day Saturday.

Continued Operations to Bring Remaining Trekkers to Safety

The remaining trekkers are scheduled to reach the safe zone in stages under the guidance and assistance of rescuers organised by the local government.

Many residents and rescue teams have been deployed to help remove snow obstructing routes to the area.

Unclear Details Over Support Staff and Other Areas

Estimates indicated that close to a thousand individuals had been stranded. Details were unclear whether support staff and other personnel with the hiking groups had been accounted for.

It was also unclear if trekkers near the northern side of Everest—also in the region—had been affected or not.

Peak Season and Access Halted

The north face of Everest, due to its convenient approach by paved road, regularly draws large numbers of tourists. This month is a peak season, when skies clear with the end of the monsoon season.

Admission tickets and access to the whole Mount Everest region were suspended from Saturday, according to notices posted on official channels.

Nearby Area Affected by Heavy Rains

To the southern side of the area, heavy rains caused landslides and flash floods that have blocked roads, washed away bridges, and claimed over forty-seven lives since Friday.

Thirty-five individuals died in multiple mudslides in the eastern Ilam district near the Indian border. Nine people were reported missing after being swept away by flood waters, and three others were killed in lightning strikes elsewhere in the country.