• Two confirmed dead and 14 missing following an avalanche at Himlung Himal base camp.
• Rescue teams continue search efforts under severe weather conditions.
• Heavy rainfall and landslides have exacerbated the situation in the region.

An avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in Nepal's Manang district, resulting in at least two deaths and leaving 14 individuals missing. The avalanche, which occurred on Sunday morning, buried tents under more than 15 feet of snow, with many of the missing reported to be kitchen staff from expedition teams. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) confirmed that the deceased were identified as climbing guides, with initial reports estimating that up to 16 people could be affected by this tragic event, according to Indiatimes and SCMP.

On Monday, rescue teams mobilized as search efforts resumed, although challenging weather conditions hampered their progress. “We will resume the search for the 14 other kitchen staff,” stated Mingma G Sherpa, a lead rescuer involved in the operation. Helicopters have been deployed, bringing several individuals to safety while the recovery of the deceased was prioritized, as mentioned in reports from Al Jazeera and CBS News.

The avalanche has occurred amid heavy rainfall that has triggered floods and landslides in the region, contributing to already perilous conditions. The NDRRMA reported that, aside from the avalanche, at least 21 other fatalities occurred due to related weather events in the week preceding the disaster. The situation is dire as Nepal grapples with the aftermath of previous severe flooding that left thousands unaccounted for, highlighting the vulnerability of the nation to natural disasters, according to Indiatimes and SCMP.