Heavy snowfall affects tourists, locals in Khumbu area

SOLUKHUMBU: Heavy snowfall is taking place at the Khumbu area in Solukhumbu district from Sunday, affecting the normal life.

Tourists and local residents have been facing problems in their mobility due to the heavy snowfall. Senior Vice-Chairperson of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Karma Sherpa, who is in the Khumbu area, said tourists who are in Gopyo area are in trouble due to disruption of trekking route following the snowfall.

“The snow has covered the road. Some of the tourists heading for trekking have faced hardships to advance. However, the number of people being affected from the snowfall has not been ascertained,” he added.

Meanwhile, an American tourist, who went for trekking at the Sagarmatha area, is out of contact. Chairperson of Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Lamakaji Sherpa, said the 63-year-old US citizen had entered the check post of the Sagarmatha National Park on Wednesday. He is out of contact since then, it is said.

Search teams have faced difficulties to locate the American national due to snowfall.

Likewise, expedition to Mt Everest has also been affected and most of the climbers have stayed in the basecamp.

The local administration and concerned authorities have been coordinating for the rescue and management, keeping the safety of tourists and locals of affected areas in priority.