KATHMANDU: Climbers attempting to scale Mount Manaslu have begun returning home after heavy snowfall and persistent rain made conditions unfavorable for expeditions. Karma Chhiring Lama, ward chair of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-1, Samagaun, confirmed that climbers started leaving after waiting for two weeks for the weather to improve.
The region has experienced continuous rainfall, resulting in up to five feet of snow accumulation. Ward chair Lama noted that the government issued a safety alert from the 8th to the 12th, prompting many climbers to abandon their plans due to rising risks. Local business owner Prabal Lama stated that this is the most severe weather observed in the area since 2014. Reports indicate that three feet of snow has accumulated at the base camp, while higher camps one, two, and three have seen between seven and eight feet of snow.
Hotel entrepreneur Mingmar Chhiring Lama estimated that approximately 10 percent of the climbers have already departed. Locals believe that even if the weather clears, further attempts at the summit this season are unlikely. Approximately 500 climbers had obtained permits to scale the 8,163-meter peak this season. Last year, 493 climbers across 41 groups received permits, generating Rs 224.81 million in revenue for the Nepal government.
