As Nepal struggles to cope with the aftermath of catastrophic flash floods in August, a new series of landslides and heavy downpours has claimed the lives of approximately 30 people, the BBC reports.The country’s disaster management center reported that since last week, rains and landslides have affected more than 1,900 families; over 240 homes have been damaged or destroyed, and buildings, bridges, and roads have been washed away. Hundreds of tourists hiking the Annapurna Circuit—a route vital to Nepal’s economy—have been forced to abandon their treks and return to safety. Many have been airlifted out of the Manang and Mustang districts. Completing the Annapurna Circuit typically takes three weeks.Speaking to the BBC beside a sodden blue tent in Batar, local resident Buti Tamang said he used to live in a small house but now has nothing left, having also lost many relatives. Ramesh Gale, who was also forced to leave his home, noted that the rain is pouring, water is seeping into the tent, and the situation is difficult. Several tourists and their guides described the descent from the mountains as perilous; the journey took three to four days and required traversing collapsed roads and washed-out bridges. Jake Stacy, a 21-year-old from Suffolk, was stranded with his guide in the upper Manang area due to snow and decided against continuing to Thorong La Pass, the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit. They made their way down steep, extremely muddy mountain slopes. He added that many tourists were evacuated by helicopter.Australian Andrew Graham and his guide recounted having to cross more than 15 landslides on their way back from the village of Manang, many of which were highly dangerous. They found themselves at a dead end upon reaching the village of Chame—which had been evacuated due to the risk of landslides—and were forced to spend the night in the jungle. A major landslide had blocked the river flowing through Chame, creating a lake that submerged houses and the main bridge. Authorities are attempting to drain the lake using excavators, but so far, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Trekking guide Tse Ring Dom said that she and her group had to cross 28 landslides, and—given the disaster in August—the mental stress was greater than the physical challenges.Every clap of thunder made them look around to see if something was approaching. One of the group members, Norwegian national Ellen Wahlström, said the tourists were lucky because they only had to leave behind their belongings, whereas local residents were left homeless. She added that the clearing of many of the landslides was proceeding surprisingly quickly.Mukti Prasad Khanal, the head of the Manang district, noted that despite severe road damage, several washed-away bridges, and disrupted communications, no one in the tourism region had lost their life.A representative of the local trekking authority stated that around 700 tourists in Pokhara were waiting for the moment they could set out on the Annapurna Circuit. For now, treks are being postponed, but the authority is facing pressure from the trekking industry to open the route.
Landslides continue in Nepal; trekkers leave routes unfinished · BNN
