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| Floodwater and landslides affect the Samagaun area in Nepal’s Manaslu region following heavy rainfall. Photo credit: Unsplash. |
SAMAGAUN, Nepal — Heavy rainfall has triggered flooding and landslides around Samagaun in Nepal’s Manaslu region, disrupting travel and leaving foreign trekkers stranded in the high-altitude Himalayan village.
Samagaun, located at an elevation of more than 3,500 metres on the Manaslu Circuit trekking route, has been affected by repeated rockfalls and landslides following days of persistent rain. Reports from the area say sections of roads and footbridges have become impassable, making movement in and out of the village difficult.
The situation became particularly concerning after a major landslide was reported above the village early on September 27. Trekkers and other people staying in the area were reportedly startled by the sound of rocks coming down the slopes.
NEW - Massive landslide hits Nepal, huge mountain collapses into river https://t.co/8vNSzjT4ss
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Dozens of foreign tourists, including Israeli nationals, have been unable to leave Samagaun because of the damaged routes and continuing landslide risk. Reports said electricity was also disrupted in the area, while poor weather conditions made helicopter access difficult.
The severe weather is part of a wider spell of heavy rain affecting Nepal. The country's Department of Tourism had issued a safety advisory for trekkers and mountaineers, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds and possible landslides, floods and soil erosion in the Himalayan regions.
The wider weather situation has also caused casualties elsewhere in Nepal. Authorities reported deaths and missing people following floods and landslides in several parts of the country, while warnings were issued for possible flash floods across dozens of districts.
Weather conditions in Nepal were expected to improve gradually as the low-pressure system weakened, although rainfall remained possible in several areas.
For people still in the affected mountain areas, authorities and local operators are monitoring conditions and access routes. The latest reports indicate that the situation around Samagaun remains challenging because of unstable slopes, blocked routes and rapidly changing mountain weather.