KATHMANDU – A large-scale, multi-day evacuation operation for hundreds of trekkers and guides stranded in the Everest region after a powerful unseasonal storm is on track to be completed by Tuesday evening, a senior official from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has confirmed to media.
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, stated that favorable weather windows on Monday and Tuesday have allowed rescue pilots to conduct "an intense series of sorties" from Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport, the primary gateway to the Khumbu region.
"The backlog has been cleared significantly. Barring any sudden deterioration in weather, we are confident that all remaining stranded tourists who wish to be evacuated will be flown out by end of day Tuesday," the official said.
This announcement brings a sigh of relief to the global adventure community after days of uncertainty and anxiety following a cyclone that slammed into the Himalayas, triggering avalanches, trapping trekkers, and claiming at least two lives.
The Trigger: An Unprecedented Late-Season Cyclone
The crisis began last week when the remnants of Cyclone Hamoon, which formed in the Bay of Bengal, veered north and collided with the Himalayan range. While the spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) seasons are known for stable weather, this late October event was a brutal anomaly.
The storm dumped heavy, wet snow at higher elevations and brought torrential rain and dense cloud cover to lower valleys, rendering the treacherous mountain flights in and out of Lukla impossible for four consecutive days. This effectively severed the only quick exit route for the hundreds of trekkers who had just completed their Everest Base Camp journeys or were on shorter hikes in the Sagarmatha National Park.
"The weather turned from challenging to dangerous in a matter of hours," recounted Marcus Thorne, an Australian trekker who was evacuated on Monday. "One moment we were celebrating the end of our trek in Lukla, the next we were told all flights were canceled indefinitely. The teahouses were overflowing, and the anxiety was palpable."
The Human Toll: Tragedy and Resilience
The human cost of the storm became starkly clear over the weekend. Nepali authorities confirmed the deaths of two individuals—a Nepali guide and a Romanian trekker—in separate, storm-related incidents.
The Romanian national was part of a group caught in a sudden avalanche near the high pass of Cho La, a challenging route connecting the Gokyo and Everest Base Camp trails. The Nepali guide, a veteran of the mountains, tragically succumbed to harsh conditions while assisting his client group. Their deaths serve as a somber reminder of the Himalayas' inherent and unforgiving power, regardless of a trekker's experience or preparation.
For those stranded in Lukla, Namche Bazaar, and other villages, the situation evolved from an inconvenience to a serious test of endurance. Teahouses, the classic mountain lodges of the region, were pushed beyond capacity.
"We had trekkers sleeping in dining halls, on any available floor space," said Lakpa Sherpa, who runs a popular lodge in Lukla. "We did everything we could to keep everyone warm and fed, but supplies were beginning to run low. Morale was the biggest challenge."
The Rescue Operation: A Coordinated Airlift
With the weather window finally opening on Sunday, the Nepal Army, in coordination with private helicopter companies and the Nepal Tourism Board, launched a massive airlift. The operation prioritized the elderly, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and individuals who had been stranded the longest.
The iconic, short-sloped runway at Lukla became the epicenter of a frantic ballet of aircraft. Twin Otter and Dornier planes from airlines like Tara Air and Yeti Airlines shuttled back and forth to Kathmandu, while smaller, nimble helicopters operated by companies like Simrik Air and Fishtail Air focused on shuttling people from more remote villages down to Lukla or directly to the capital.
"The coordination has been remarkable," the CAAN source explained. "We've had air traffic controllers working extended shifts, and pilots are maximizing every minute of clear sky. The partnership between government and private operators is what makes this rapid resolution possible."
The Stranded Experience: Anxiety, Community, and Patience
For the trekkers on the ground, the days of being stranded were a rollercoaster of emotions.
Sarah Jenkins, a teacher from Canada, was in Lukla with her husband when the flights stopped. "The first day was almost a fun adventure—an unexpected extra day in the mountains," she said. "But by day three, the reality set in. We were watching our travel insurance expiry dates loom, we had families at home getting worried, and the uncertainty was mentally exhausting."
However, many trekkers also reported stories of incredible solidarity. Strangers shared phone chargers, medicine, and books. Guides and porters, themselves separated from their own families, worked tirelessly to reassure and care for their clients.
"The Nepali people were incredible," said Jenkins. "Our guide, Dorje, checked on us constantly, even though he was just as stranded. The teahouse owners kept smiling and serving hot tea, even when they were clearly stressed. It was a powerful lesson in grace under pressure."
The Ripple Effect: Cancellations, Insurance, and Future Planning
The disruption has had a significant knock-on effect. With aircraft dedicated to the evacuation effort, many scheduled flights for new trekkers beginning their journeys were canceled, creating a logjam in Kathmandu.
Travel agencies have been working around the clock to rebook clients and manage the fallout. "This is an extreme, but important, reminder of why travel insurance is non-negotiable for a Himalayan trek," said Binod Gurung, owner of a Kathmandu-based trekking company.
"Clients with robust policies will have coverage for delayed flights, extra accommodation, and alternative travel arrangements. Those without are facing significant out-of-pocket expenses."
This event is also likely to spark conversations within the tourism industry about contingency planning for such anomalous weather events, which some scientists link to the broader patterns of climate change.
Broader Implications for Himalayan Tourism
The incident underscores the vulnerability of mountain tourism to extreme weather. The Everest region, while well-serviced, operates on a delicate logistical balance, heavily reliant on a single, weather-dependent airport in Lukla.
"This event should be a wake-up call," said an official from the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), who also requested anonymity. "While we cannot control the weather, we can improve our crisis communication, stockpile essential supplies in key hubs like Lukla and Namche, and ensure all operators are enforcing strict insurance requirements."
It also highlights the critical role of experienced guides. In numerous accounts from this event, it was the guides' knowledge and calm decision-making that prevented further tragedy, whether by rerouting groups away from avalanche-prone areas or managing resources in stranded villages.
Looking Ahead: Clear Skies and Lessons Learned
As the evacuation operation nears its conclusion, the focus will shift to supporting the families of the deceased, assisting trekkers with their rearranged travel plans, and conducting a formal review of the response.
For the hundreds of trekkers now safely back in Kathmandu, the experience will forever be a part of their Everest story—not just of towering peaks and personal achievement, but of a community's resilience in the face of nature's unpredictability.
The skies over Lukla are now clear, and the steady hum of aircraft engines signals a return to normalcy. But the lessons from this late-season storm will linger, a stark reminder that in the Himalayas, one must always be prepared for the unexpected. The mountains grant passage, but on their own terms.
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