Rescue Efforts Underway for Missing Individuals After Avalanche in Nepal

Rescue teams have resumed their search for individuals missing after an avalanche on Mount Himlung in Nepal, which resulted in the deaths of at least two people during severe weather conditions. The avalanche occurred on Sunday, and at least 10 people have been rescued from the 7,126-meter (23,380-foot) peak in north-central Nepal. The remains of the two deceased individuals were airlifted to Kathmandu airport on Monday and subsequently transported to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Tul Singh Gurung, president of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, stated, "Two bodies were found as rescuers worked until 6pm (12:30 GMT) last night. The search continues for 14 expedition workers who are still missing." A team of eight mountain guides is participating in the ongoing search operation. All individuals who were killed or are missing are Nepali nationals. The avalanche struck while they were at a base camp preparing for foreign clients to arrive for the autumn climbing season, which began this month. Additionally, flooding and landslides were reported in the Manang district, where the mountain is located, due to heavy rainfall over the weekend, according to the district administration. The avalanche occurred as the government issued warnings of severe weather across the Himalayan region. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported that 21 other individuals were killed and five more are missing in various parts of the country between Thursday and Sunday. Nepal is still recovering from severe flooding in August that resulted in the loss of over 1,400 lives and the displacement of several villages. NDRRMA indicated that 5,500 individuals remain missing, while 13,795 have been rescued. Researchers from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group noted in a report released last week that the disaster was not attributed to a single extreme weather event but rather a "compound crisis" influenced by long-term warming, glacier retreat, permafrost thaw, and geological instability.