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Emergency efforts are actively underway on the world's tallest mountain following a intense blizzard that stranded nearly 1,000 people isolated at campsites on the east face of the peak.

Several Hundred Guided to Safety Amid Heavy Snowfall

Numerous hikers stranded by the blizzard near the eastern face of the mountain were safely guided by rescue teams on the weekend, as exceptional precipitation hit the Himalayan region.

As of Sunday, 350 people had arrived at the small township of Qudang, while contact had been made with the other two hundred hikers.

Holiday Rush Led to High Visitor Numbers

Tourists in the remote valley of the Karma valley, which provides access to the Kangshung east side of Everest, numbered in the hundreds this week, taking advantage of an extended holiday break in the region.

Heavy snow in the region, which lies at an elevation averaging 4,200 metres (13,779 feet), began on Friday evening and persisted all day Saturday.

Continued Operations to Bring Remaining Trekkers to Safety

The remaining trekkers are expected to arrive Qudang in phases under the guidance and assistance of emergency teams dispatched by the regional authorities.

Hundreds of local villagers and rescue teams have been sent to help remove snow blocking access to the area.

Unclear Details Over Support Staff and Other Areas

Reports indicated that close to a thousand individuals had been stranded. It was not specified whether local guides and other personnel with the hiking groups had been accounted for.

It was also unclear if trekkers near the north face of Everest—also in the region—had been impacted or not.

Peak Season and Access Halted

The north face of Mount Everest, due to its convenient approach by paved road, often attracts many of tourists. This month is a peak season, when weather improves with the end of the monsoon season.

Admission tickets and entry to the entire Everest scenic area were halted from Saturday, according to announcements posted on local platforms.

Nearby Area Impacted by Severe Weather

To the south of the area, torrential downpours caused mudslides and flash floods that have blocked roads, washed away bridges, and killed at least 47 people since last week.

Thirty-five individuals lost their lives in separate landslides in the eastern Ilam district bordering India. Nine people were reported unaccounted for after being carried off by flood waters, and three more were fatally struck in electrical storms elsewhere in the country.