Qudeng: Hundreds of hikers, local guides, and yak herders have been safely rescued after being stranded in freezing conditions due to a heavy snowstorm over the weekend on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet. Chinese authorities have rescued 580 hikers from the eastern slopes of Mount Everest, state-run media reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Everest region's Tibetan side has been hit harder than the Nepal side. While the Nepal side reportedly experienced less impact, the eastern side of Everest in Tibet faced significant challenges, as noted by Nepali sustainability advocate Sushil Khadka. He explained that the larger crowd on the Tibetan side was due to several high-altitude events and activities aimed at promoting commercial tourism, unlike the Nepal side, which is primarily focused on trekking to the Everest Base Camp.

On Sunday, local media reported that at least one hiker had died and nearly 1,000 were stranded following a sudden snowstorm that hit Tibet and Qinghai, blocking access roads and collapsing tents. The hikers, along with more than 300 personnel, including local guides and yak herders, have safely reached Qudeng township and surrounding areas, as reported by Xinhua News Agency, citing local government officials.

Khadka also highlighted that expeditions typically do not occur during autumn, being reserved for the spring season. Despite government measures to limit movement over the weekend, recent bad weather and unexpected blizzards disrupted travel during the peak trekking season in autumn.

Following days of heavy snowfall, the Solukhumbu district administration, police, and the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) have jointly verified that there are no stranded visitors in the region, according to the Kathmandu Post. Chief District Officer Leela Kumari KC Pandey confirmed, "No tourists are trapped in our region. Our information system is active and efficient. Everyone is travelling safely and without disruption."