Unseasonal Snowfall Blankets Everest Region, Damages Hotels and Disrupts Autumn Tourism
With the arrival of autumn in the Everest region, the much-anticipated tourist season has just begun. Traditionally, mid-October marks a bustling period for trekkers, traders, and locals along the scenic trails from Namche Bazaar to Gokyo, Dingboche, and Phorche. However, this year’s season has taken an unexpected turn, as an unseasonal snowfall blanketed the Khumbu region in white during the first week of October, an event rarely witnessed so early in the season.
The snowfall, following days of continuous rain since last Sunday, has affected both the daily lives of locals and the operations of tourism-related businesses. The snow accumulation has been particularly heavy in areas above Namche Bazaar within Solukhumbu’s Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality. Local resident Pasang Sherpa reported that heavy rain and persistent snowfall have covered major trekking destinations such as Dingboche, Labuche, Phereche, and Gokyo under a thick layer of snow.
Laxman Adhikari, Chairperson of Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality–4, stated that the snowfall on Sunday led to more than four feet of snow piling up on rooftops in the upper Khumbu region. “The snow that fell in areas above Namche has disrupted daily life and created challenges for both residents and trekkers,” Adhikari said. He added that the unexpected weather event caught many unprepared, as the autumn trekking season typically brings clear skies and mild temperatures rather than heavy snow.
The severe weather conditions have not only disrupted movement but also caused physical damage. According to the District Police Office of Solukhumbu, five hotels in the Dingboche area have collapsed under the weight of the accumulated snow. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Manojit Kunwar confirmed the damage, stating, “The roofs of five hotels were destroyed due to the heavy snow and ongoing rainfall. While, fortunately, there have been no human casualties, the economic impact on local tourism entrepreneurs is considerable.”
The snowfall has raised concerns among local business owners and expedition teams preparing for autumn climbs. Many fear potential cancellations of trekking schedules and disruptions in the flow of supplies to higher camps. The unseasonal weather has also affected livestock and posed risks to infrastructure in remote settlements.
Tourism operators are urging visitors to exercise caution and remain updated on weather forecasts before embarking on treks. Meanwhile, authorities and local representatives have begun assessing the full extent of the damage to ensure timely support and repair work.
For residents of Khumbu, where tourism forms the backbone of the economy, such early snowfall brings both beauty and hardship, a reminder of how changing weather patterns continue to reshape life in the Himalayas.
