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Avalanche Kills Two at Nepal Himlung Base Camp

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 4:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Avalanche Strikes Basecamp

Nepal police said an avalanche struck the Himlung Himal base camp, killing two guides.
Rescue teams recovered four bodies—two guides and two kitchen staff—from the snow-buried camp.
Twelve Nepali workers, including guides and kitchen staff, remain missing after the disaster.
Search operations paused on September 29 because severe weather and deep snow halted rescues.
Heavy rain and snowfall since Thursday caused floods killing 21 people, prompting tourism officials to halt trekking.

Summary

Scientists Warn El Niño

Climate experts warn the 2026 record El Niño is amplifying extreme weather across South Asia.
Meteorologists link the Himlung Himal avalanche to unusually heavy precipitation driven by the El Niño pattern.
The El Niño has intensified floods in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Scientists cite the 1877-78 El Niño, which caused about 50 million deaths, to illustrate potential 2026 severity.
International mountaineering bodies urge clubs worldwide to reassess risk assessments for Himalayan climbs.

History

Historical Context

During 1877-78 the strongest recorded El Niño caused famine and drought, killing over 50 million people and sparking India’s Great Famine. Climate scientists say a comparable El Niño is emerging in 2026, leading the UN and the International Mountaineering Federation to call for updated Himalayan risk plans. In September 2026 Nepal Police reported an avalanche on Himlung Himal that killed two guides and left twelve trekkers missing.

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Avalanche Strikes Basecamp

Nepal police said an avalanche struck the Himlung Himal base camp, killing two guides.
Rescue teams recovered four bodies—two guides and two kitchen staff—from the snow-buried camp.
Twelve Nepali workers, including guides and kitchen staff, remain missing after the disaster.
Search operations paused on September 29 because severe weather and deep snow halted rescues.
Heavy rain and snowfall since Thursday caused floods killing 21 people, prompting tourism officials to halt trekking.

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