Nepal Floods Close Langtang, High Routes
Floods have cut off Nepal's Langtang region, closing trekking routes. Major climbing areas like Everest and Manaslu remain open for autumn.
Devastating floods in Nepal have isolated the Langtang region, but most of the country's mountains and valleys remain unaffected. The disaster, triggered by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), turned the Bhote Koshi River and Trishuli Valleys into mud and debris, with over 100 tourists caught in the flood while heading toward Langtang or Mount Kailash.
According to The Tourism Times, the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has identified 36 support staff from five travel companies as missing. The search for survivors and recovery efforts continue. Nepal's tourism industry now faces the challenge as the busy autumn trekking season begins.
Routes Closed and At Risk
The entire Langtang region, where the flood originated, is currently cut off. The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash is not possible. Trekking agency Nepal Peak Adventure has provided a breakdown of affected areas.
Several key trekking routes are now closed. The gateway town of Syabrubesi and the Pasang Lhamu Highway are badly damaged.
Lower regions downstream of the flooded area remain under alert. Travelers are advised to avoid these zones.
Major Climbing Areas Unaffected
For climbers and trekkers, the main high-altitude areas are operating normally. These regions are in different watersheds and were not impacted by the floods. Destinations like the Khumbu-Everest region, Manaslu, Annapurna Circuit, Mustang, Dolpo, and Kangchenjunga are safe to visit.
Major expedition operators confirm plans are proceeding. Seven Summit Treks has informed clients that expeditions and treks in the Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, and eastern Nepal regions remain on schedule for autumn.
Autumn Season Focus on Manaslu
Hundreds of climbers are currently in Kathmandu preparing to head to the mountains. Manaslu has become this season's favorite peak. This shift is partly due to closures elsewhere. The China-Tibet Mountaineering Association confirmed last week that Shisha Pangma and Cho Oyu will remain closed this year.
Nepal’s Department of Tourism has issued permits for 18 Manaslu teams, totaling 219 foreign climbers. Numbers are expected to rise further. Some teams, like U.S.-based Madison Mountaineering, have reportedly switched their plans to Manaslu.
The Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOA) deployed a team of Sherpas to fix the ropes on Manaslu last week. The EOA estimates they might complete the route to the summit by the third week of September.
