Trekkers Evacuated by Helicopter as New Landslides Ravage Nepal

Thu Oct 01 2026 00:12:40 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

After August floods, heavy rain sparks fresh deadly landslides killing 30 and forces hundreds of trekkers to be airlifted from dangerous passes.

A new wave of landslides and persistent rain has taken 30 lives in Nepal, adding to August's devastation. 1,900 families have been impacted and 240 homes destroyed, with roads and bridges washed away. Hundreds of trekkers were forced to abandon the Annapurna Circuit, and about 700 were rescued by helicopter from the perilous Manang and Mustang districts. While authorities report no fatalities in the trekking zone, four bodies were recovered after an avalanche near Himlung Peak. Local communities are scrambling for shelter in tent cities as authorities work to clear landslides and restore communication.

New wave of landslides has killed 30 people in Nepal, following the catastrophic August floods that left 1,400 dead.

The national disaster management authority reports that more than 1,900 families have been affected since the storm, and 240 homes have been damaged. Roads, bridges and critical infrastructure across the highlands have been swept away or rendered unsafe.

Hundreds of trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit—an economic lifeline for many rural communities—were forced to stop their journeys. Roughly 700 people remained waiting in Pokhara to start the trek when the landslides struck the lower passes, and many had to locate their own routes back to safety.

Helicopters were dispatched from the districts of Manang and Mustang, successfully lifting almost 700 trekkers out of the danger zone. The operation reached its peak during the night, extending the rescue area into the high‑altitude passes that had been cut off by the collapsed roads.

Local residents, such as Buti Tamang and Ramesh Ghale, describe living in makeshift tents amid relentless rain, with homes destroyed and community bonds frayed. The damage continues to ripple through the region, as landslides close off routes and impede relief vehicles.

While authorities confirm no fatalities yet in the trekking region, four bodies were recovered and 12 people remain missing after an avalanche near the base of Himlung Peak. Officials are cautiously urging trekkers to wait until conditions improve before attempting another ascent of the Annapurna Circuit.