10 Nepali climbers, guides missing after avalanche hits Himlung peak

At least 10 Nepali climbers and guides are missing following an avalanche that struck the base camp of Himlung peak in central Nepal early Sunday, according to expedition organiser Bibhuti Chand Thakur. The country is still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating flood caused by a tsunami-like surge on August 26, which claimed over 1,400 lives and left more than 6,000 people unaccounted for.

Himlung peak, situated near the border with Tibet and standing at 7,126 meters, experienced several days of heavy snowfall prior to the avalanche. Thakur informed AFP that two helicopters and a search and rescue team are on standby, but adverse weather conditions have hindered their ability to reach the affected area. Eight members of Thakur's expedition team and two climbers from another company have been reported missing, all of whom are Nepali nationals.

Nepal is home to eight of the world's fourteen highest peaks, attracting foreign climbers who contribute significantly to the country's economy. The autumn climbing season in Nepal has seen the issuance of more than 500 permits, with Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain, accounting for a majority of these. Heavy snowfall on Manaslu this week led to the cancellation of expeditions, and treks in the Dhaulagiri mountain range have also been halted.

Recent heavy rainfall in parts of Nepal has resulted in the destruction of roads and triggered landslides.