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Avalanche Buries Tents at Himlung Himal Base Camp, Several Missing

With heavy snow, rain, restricted helicopter permits and poor communications slowing rescues, Nepal faces added pressure on its ongoing flood recovery effort.

Narayan Prasad Nepal, left, stands outside his damaged house by a flash flood in Galchi, Nuwakot, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A woman walks past a damaged bridge and trees left by a flash flood on the bank of the Trishuli River in Nuwakot district, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Workers weld metal frames while building temporary shelters for survivors of recent flash floods in Nepal's Nuwakot district, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Pasang Maya Tamang stands inside a classroom converted into a temporary shelter as she shows a photograph of her 5-year-old son, who was swept away by flash floods, in Nepal's Nuwakot district, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Overview

  • The avalanche struck Himlung Himal base camp on Sunday, Sept. 27, burying tents and leaving multiple Nepalese climbers and support staff unaccounted for.
  • The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and Nepal Police confirmed two bodies were recovered at the high‑altitude camp while search teams continue operations.
  • Expedition Operators Association Nepal said eight staff from Himalayan Holidays and two from Imagine Nepal Treks lost contact, though early reports of the number missing have varied between six and a dozen.
  • Rescue teams and two standby helicopters have been slowed by heavy snowfall, persistent rain, remoteness and a requirement for special helicopter permits to reach the site.
  • The avalanche adds to nationwide floods and landslides from the same weather system and further strains recovery from the Aug. 26 glacier collapse that left large numbers dead or missing and has overwhelmed identification and relief capacity.