When Lobsang Tseten, spokesperson for the Tibetan Mountaineering Association, announced on October 6, 2025 that the rescue operation was finally pulling people off the slopes, the world realized just how chaotic the mountain had become.

Earlier that morning, a freak low‑pressure system slammed into the Everest region, dumping more than two metres of fresh snow and unleashing rain that turned trekking paths into raging rivers.

How the Storm Unfolded

The meteorological surprise arrived while temperatures in the Himalayas were still relatively mild for October—normally a window climbers cherish for summit attempts. Instead, satellite data from the World Meteorological Agency recorded wind speeds of 120 km/h and snowfall rates that broke local records.

Because the storm moved in from the east, the western face of Mount Everest was hit hardest. By 02:00 GMT on Oct 5, base‑camp teams reported visibility dropping to under 20 metres, and many climbers were forced to bivouac in the open.

Initial estimates wildly exaggerated the scale: early reports suggested as many as 1,000 people could be stranded. As rescuers gained a clearer picture, the figure settled at roughly 550—350 already evacuated, about 200 still clinging to ledges or hidden in crevasses.

Rescue Efforts at 8,000 Metres

Coordinating a pull‑out at altitudes above 8,000 m is a logistical nightmare. Helicopters can’t reach that height, so the International Himalayan Rescue Coalition, led by Director Anil Sharma, deployed dozens of Sherpa guide teams equipped with high‑altitude stretchers.

“We’re operating on a ‘one‑by‑one’ basis,” Sharma said in a brief interview. “Every ascent takes an hour, sometimes longer, because the wind keeps the rope lines swaying like a pendulum.”

By the time the rescue window closed on Oct 7, the coalition had air‑lifted 350 climbers to safety at the South Base Camp in Nepal and the North Base Camp in Tibet. The remaining 200 are being lowered via fixed ropes, a process that will likely stretch into the weekend.

Medical teams on the ground reported three cases of severe frostbite and one hypothermia incident that required evacuation to a field clinic in Lukla. The clinic, set up by the Nepalese Ministry of Health, is already nearing capacity.

Regional Fallout: Floods and Landslides

The same storm unleashed a deluge across the broader Himalaya. In Nepal’s eastern provinces, the Koshi River swelled to a record 9.2 m, breaching embankments and sweeping away villages such as Dharanagar. Bhutan reported landslides that cut off the main highway between Thimphu and Punakha.

Official tallies from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs list at least 60 confirmed deaths, with dozens more missing. Entire hamlets in northeast India have been submerged, prompting the Indian National Disaster Response Force to mobilise 2,000 troops.

“The people here are facing a double‑blow,” said Maya Singh, spokesperson for the Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs. “First the mountain, now the flood.”

What Experts Say

Climatologists warn that the October blizzard is not an isolated freak. Dr. Aisha Rahman of the Institute for Himalayan Climate Studies points to a warming trend that makes the jet stream more prone to abrupt dips, delivering snow‑laden storms at historically “off‑season” times.

“We’ve seen a 15 % increase in extreme precipitation events over the last decade,” Rahman explained. “If the pattern continues, we could see similar scenarios every few years, which would force the climbing industry to rethink seasonal windows altogether.”

Tourism officials are already drafting new guidelines. The Tibetan Autonomous Region Government proposes mandatory weather‑briefing certifications for all foreign expeditions starting 2026.

Looking Ahead: Safety and Climate Risks

For now, the immediate priority remains getting the remaining climbers down. Rescue teams expect to finish the operation by Oct 10, assuming the weather stabilises. In the meantime, humanitarian agencies are distributing emergency supplies—blankets, glucose tablets, and portable water filters—to the flood‑hit villages.

Long‑term, the incident may reshuffle the whole adventure‑tourism calendar. “We might see a shift toward late‑summer climbs, when the monsoon retreats but before the winter chill sets in,” notes Sharma. “And operators will have to invest more in satellite‑based forecasting, not just the old‑school wind‑socks.”

One thing’s clear: the Himalayas are reminding the world that nature still writes the rules. The night was bitter. No one expected this.