Helicopter Evacuations Cut Through Annapurna Circuit as New Landslides Strike Nepal
Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered a new wave of landslides that have killed around 30 people and displaced more than 1,900 families, according to Nepal’s national disaster management authority. The latest flooding follows last month’s catastrophic rains that claimed 1,400 lives.
The explosions of falling debris have swept away homes, roads, bridges and entire villages in the Manang and Mustang districts that are part of the famed Annapurna trail. Helicopters have been deployed to lift trekkers, including a group of 30‑sized party, out of the danger zone and to deliver supplies to isolated communities.
Local guides report that the trekking path has been rendered treacherous, with collapsed roads forcing them onto improvised routes over muddy slopes. Many trekkers had to abandon the 21‑day route to avoid crossing the dangerous peaks and had to spend nights in the jungle or in emergency tents.
"The state of the mountain trail is far worse than what we normally see," said a guide who chose to keep the group in the valley. He added that bridges previously used remain washed out, and the lack of clean water has made the hike a logistical nightmare.
While the authorities have tried to melt the floodwaters using excavators, several rivers remain blocked, leaving communities cut off from towns such as Pokhara. The government has urged people in the particularly vulnerable districts not to travel, and has opened temporary shelters for those stranded.
In the midst of this crisis, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project has suspended the tourist influx, saying that sending trekkers back to the valley would compromise safety. Injuries are reported from the increased traffic of evacuation helicopters, but all survivors are alive thanks to the swift response of the national disaster management team.
The continued rainfall threatens to aggravate the situation further, with officials warning that any sudden release from these debris‑laden slopes could spark another wave of devastation.
