KATHMANDU, Nepal – Incessant snowfall has hit climbing activities in Khumbu region, forcing most climbers to change their acclimatisation plans.
The region has witnessed heavy snowfall for the last twelve hours, said Tshering Sherpa, base camp manager of Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee. According to him, Everest Base Camp and other adjoining areas received two feet of fresh snow.
Kuntal Joisher, team leader of the six-member Snowy Everest Expedition, said most of the tents were snow-covered. “We are more than 900 people at the base camp as above 60 per cent Everest climbers with their support staff have arrived for acclimatisation,” he said, adding that most expeditions decided to change acclimatisation plans due to freak weather.
Snowfall affects climbing in Everest region
The health centre at Feriche has treated 205 patients in the last three weeks. Snow storms and fluctuating weather increases the risks and severity of high altitude sickness. Govind Bashyal, an official at the health centre run by Himalaya Rescue Association, said, “Seventeen persons have been evacuated to Kathmandu for further treatment.”
Senior meteorologist Krishna Bhakta Manandhar has requested climbers to be cautious about the adverse impact of freak climate as the existing weather pattern will last till Tuesday. “Westerly and vapour-laden wind from the Arabian sea has a direct influence on the mountain region,” he said. Snowfall will last in the Khumbu region for three more days as strong westerly winds from the northern belt of India has been causing snowfall in the region, he added.
Small avalanches have also been occurring on a daily basis from the West Shoulder near Camp 1, according to Lakpa Sherpa, senior staff at a health camp set up by HRA. Ang Sarki Sherpa, an Icefall doctor who was injured in the icefall section while clearing the treacherous route yesterday, however said the new route up the mountain was safe.
Srihari Bhatta, Manager at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, informed that freak weather had also affected several flights this morning. “Lukla airstrip which usually handles more than 80 fixed-wing and helicopter flights during this season, witnessed only 28 landings and take-offs this morning,” he said.
According to Gyanendra Shrestha, an official at the Department of Tourism, this year, 43 teams applied for permit to climb Mt Everest.
THE HIMALAYAN TIMES