Ten missing on Nepal's Himlung peak after avalanche

At least ten local climbers and guides are reported missing after an avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung peak in central Nepal early Sunday, according to an expedition organizer. Nepal, already grappling with a catastrophic flood on August 26 that claimed over 1,400 lives and left around 6,000 people missing, now faces another disaster.

The Himlung peak, standing at 7,126 meters (23,345 feet) near the Tibet border, experienced several days of heavy snowfall before the avalanche. Two helicopters and a search and rescue team are on standby, but adverse weather conditions have hindered their efforts, as reported by Bibhuti Chand Thakur of Himalaya Holidays Trekking to AFP.

Eight members of the expedition team and two from another company have been confirmed missing, all of whom are Nepali nationals. Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, attracting foreign climbers who contribute significantly to the country's economy. The autumn climbing season in Nepal has seen more than 500 permits issued, with Manaslu, the world's eighth highest mountain, accounting for the majority.

Heavy snowfall on Manaslu this week led to the cancellation of expeditions and a halt in treks to the Dhaulagiri mountain range. Recent heavy rainfall in parts of Nepal has further exacerbated the situation by washing away roads and triggering landslides.