A severe snowstorm struck the eastern face of Mount Everest over the weekend, trapping hundreds of hikers amid unseasonably heavy snow and thunder. Roughly 350 people were successfully rescued and led back to safety in Qudang township, while over 200 remain stranded but in contact with rescuers. The storm, which began Friday and persisted through the weekend, brought relentless snow and rain, causing hypothermia even among well-prepared groups and triggering landslides and flash floods in Nepal and India, resulting in dozens of deaths.

Rescue efforts involved hundreds of villagers, firefighters, and yaks clearing snow to reach stranded trekkers, with survivors describing the extreme conditions and constant snow removal to prevent tent collapses. In response, local authorities suspended ticket sales for Everest climbs until further notice. The incident highlights the increasing dangers of Everest expeditions, prompting Nepal to implement new guidelines aimed at reducing risks from overcrowding and inexperienced climbers on the mountain.