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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are still trapped on Everest?
As of the latest briefing on October 7, about 200 climbers remain stranded on the mountain’s upper slopes, awaiting rope‑assisted descent by rescue teams.
What caused the sudden blizzard?
A rapidly deepening low‑pressure system moved eastward across the Himalayas, colliding with moist monsoon air and creating unprecedented snowfall and gale‑force winds in early October.
Which regions besides Everest were affected?
Heavy rain caused floods and landslides in Nepal’s eastern districts, Bhutan’s central valleys, and India’s Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states, killing at least 60 people and submerging several villages.
What are authorities doing to prevent a repeat?
Both Tibetan and Nepali governments are drafting stricter weather‑briefing requirements for expeditions and investing in higher‑resolution satellite monitoring to give climbers earlier warnings.
How are local communities coping with the floods?
International NGOs and the UN’s OCHA have dispatched emergency shelters, food rations, and medical kits, while Nepal’s army is conducting rescue boat operations along the swollen rivers.
Sports
J T
October 7, 2025 AT 04:32What a mess, they should’ve called it off before the blizzard hit 😒
A Lina
October 10, 2025 AT 10:19The operational oversight demonstrated a failure in adhering to established high‑altitude risk mitigation protocols, specifically the omission of real‑time synoptic data integration into the ascent decision matrix. Moreover, the logistical coordination neglected the necessary redundancy in rope‑fixing systems, compromising the safety envelope for the climbers. Such procedural lapses underscore a systemic deficit in expedition governance that warrants immediate remedial action.
Virginia Balseiro
October 13, 2025 AT 16:05Wow, the sheer scale of that blizzard feels like Mother Nature herself hit the panic button and refused to let anyone breathe. The wind howling at 120 km/h turned the mountain into a living, breathing monster that ripped at every piece of gear. Climbers were forced to bivouac in sub‑zero night, their tents shredded like cheap paper. Sherpas, those unsung heroes, were dragging stretchers in conditions that would make a seasoned Alpine guide cry.
Imagine standing at 8,000 m, rope lines swaying like pendulums, each second a battle against hypothermia. The medical teams reported frostbite cases that will scar survivors for life. And let’s not forget the flood‑triggered landslides that turned valleys into rivers of mud, swallowing villages whole.
What does this say about our hubris? We chase summits while the climate throws curveballs that no amount of satellite data can fully predict. The experts are right-our jet stream is getting wilder, and these off‑season storms will become the new normal. Expedition companies must rethink their calendars, maybe shifting climbs to late summer when the monsoon has retreated but before winter freezes the routes.
Meanwhile, the rescue crews are performing miracles, lowering people one by one, hour after hour. Their dedication reminds us that while the mountain can be unforgiving, human compassion can still pierce the storm. We should salute the Sherpas and rescue teams, not just the climbers who made it to the top.
In the end, this disaster is a stark reminder: nature writes the rules, and we’re just trying to stay in the margins of her notebook.
Jared Mulconry
October 16, 2025 AT 21:52I get the excitement behind high‑altitude climbing, but the recent blizzard shows we need more humility. Balancing adventure with safety isn’t a zero‑sum game; it’s about respecting the mountain’s power.
Brandon Rosso
October 20, 2025 AT 03:39Despite the chaos, I’m heartened by the rescue teams’ relentless effort. Their professionalism under such extreme conditions exemplifies the best of our mountaineering community, and I’m confident future expeditions will adopt stricter safety standards.
Tracee Dunblazier
October 23, 2025 AT 09:25The incident underscores a failure to enforce mandatory weather‑briefing certifications. It is imperative that authorities implement these regulations without delay to prevent recurrence.
Edward Garza
October 26, 2025 AT 15:12Foolish.
Allen Rodi
October 29, 2025 AT 20:59For anyone interested, the rope‑fixing technique used on Everest involves a series of static lines anchored at each bivouac point. Proper tensioning reduces swing and makes the lowered descent far safer, especially in gale‑force winds.