Unusual snowfall in Khumbu in first week of October

Solukhumbu: With the onset of autumn in the Everest region, the tourist season commences.

Each year, mid-October sees a surge in activity among tourists, traders, and locals along the route from Namche Bazaar to Gokyo, Dingboche, and Phorche. However, this year, the Khumbu region was blanketed in white following snowfall in the first week of October.

Snowfall during the first week of October is deemed unusual in this region. This autumn’s snowfall has impacted locals, business owners, and expedition teams. Following heavy rain that began last Sunday morning, snow has accumulated in areas above Namche in Khumbu, specifically in Solukhumbu’s Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality.

Local resident Pasang Sherpa reported that the persistent rain and snowfall have covered the Dingboche, Labuche, Phereche, and Gokyo areas in white.

Laxman Adhikari, chairperson of Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality–4, shared that the snowfall on Sunday led to over four feet of snow accumulating on rooftops in the upper Khumbu region. “The snow that fell in areas above Namche has disrupted daily life,” Adhikari stated.

“Five hotels in the Dingboche area were impacted by the snowfall, but fortunately, there have been no casualties.” The District Police Office of Solukhumbu has confirmed that five hotels in the Dingboche area collapsed due to the snow pile weight.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Manojit Kunwar shared, “The roofs of five hotels got damaged due to the heavy snow and ongoing rainfall. While there have been no human casualties, however, the economic impact is significant.”