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Emergency efforts are actively underway on the world's tallest mountain following a severe snowstorm that stranded nearly 1,000 individuals trapped at campsites on the east face of the peak.

Hundreds Guided to Safety Amid Heavy Snowfall

Hundreds of trekkers cut off by the snowstorm near the east side of the mountain were safely guided by rescue teams on the weekend, as unusually heavy snow and rain pummelled the Himalayan region.

As of Sunday, 350 people had reached the remote town of Qudang, while communication had been made with the other two hundred hikers.

Peak Season Contributed to High Crowds

Tourists in the isolated area of Karma, which leads to the Kangshung east side of Everest, numbered in the hundreds this week, benefiting from an extended holiday break in the region.

Snowfall in the valley, which sits at an elevation averaging 4,200 metres (13,779 feet), began on Friday evening and persisted throughout Saturday.

Continued Operations to Bring Remaining Trekkers to Safety

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

Many residents and rescue teams have been sent to help remove snow blocking access to the area.

Uncertainty Over Local Guides and North Face

Estimates indicated that close to a thousand individuals had been stranded. It was not specified whether support staff and team members with the hiking groups had been accounted for.

Remains unknown if trekkers near the northern side of the mountain—also in the area—had been affected or not.

Peak Season and Access Suspended

The north face of Mount Everest, due to its easy access by paved road, often attracts large numbers of tourists. October is a busy period, when weather improves with the end of the monsoon season.

Admission tickets and entry to the whole Mount Everest region were halted from Saturday, according to announcements posted on official channels.

Neighboring Region Impacted by Heavy Rains

To the southern side of the region, heavy rains triggered mudslides and flash floods that have closed routes, destroyed bridges, and killed at least 47 people since last week.

Thirty-five individuals lost their lives in separate landslides in the eastern Ilam district near the Indian border. Nine individuals were reported unaccounted for after being swept away by flood waters, and three others were killed in electrical storms in other parts of the nation.