Solukhumbu, Oct 7: As autumn begins, the Everest region usually welcomes a busy tourist season. By late October, the trails from Namche Bazaar to Gokyo, Dingboche, and Phortse are normally filled with trekkers, locals, and traders. But this year, the scene has changed dramatically heavy snowfall in the third week of October has turned the Khumbu region completely white, an unusual event for this time of year.
According to locals, continuous rainfall since Sunday morning brought heavy snow to the upper areas of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, above Namche. Dingboche, Lobuche, Pheriche, and Gokyo have all been blanketed with thick snow. “Snowfall in October is very rare here,” said local resident Pasang Sherpa.
Laxman Adhikari, chairperson of Ward No. 4 of the rural municipality, reported that more than four feet of snow had accumulated on rooftops in the upper Khumbu area.
Five Hotels Damaged, No Human Casualties
“The snowfall above Namche has seriously affected daily life,” said Adhikari. “Five hotels in Dingboche have been damaged by the heavy snow, though thankfully, there were no human casualties.”
According to the Solukhumbu District Police Office, the roofs of the five hotels collapsed under the weight of snow and continuous rainfall. “There was no loss of life, but the financial damage is significant,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Manojit Kunwar. The sudden snowfall, coming just as the tourist season began, has raised concerns among local business owners.
Unusual Weather Patterns Raise Climate Concerns
Snowfall in October is considered abnormal for Khumbu, where heavy snow usually occurs between November and January. Lama Kaji Sherpa, Chairperson of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), said, “Snow in October is a clear sign of climate change. I have rarely seen this happen before — it’s a rare event.”
He explained that due to climate change, weather patterns in the Himalayas have become unpredictable. “In the past, snowfall and melting followed a regular cycle, but that rhythm has now been lost,” he added.
Daily Life and Work Disrupted
Locals say the snowfall has slowed daily activities in Khumbu. Although some snow melted when the weather cleared on October 6, temperatures have dropped sharply. “The cold has made life harder for everyone,” said local resident Lhakpa Gyeljen Sherpa.
Construction work at the ongoing Ama Dablam Hydropower Project has also been halted. Workers have moved down to Namche due to the freezing conditions. “Work will resume only after the weather improves,” said Ward Chair Adhikari.
Mountains Under Climate Pressure
In recent years, unpredictable weather has become common in the Everest region — sometimes snow falls as early as October, while in other years, there is little or no snow even in January.
Environmental experts warn that rising temperatures and erratic rainfall have reduced overall snow levels in the Himalayas, while short but intense snowfalls are becoming more frequent.
“Earlier, the tourist season lasted from October to December,” said local businessman Toya Kumar Shrestha. “Now, snow and rain often block trails, cancel flights, and leave hotels empty.”
Locals Call for Climate Action
After this unseasonal snowfall, Khumbu residents have urged local and national governments to take stronger action for climate balance. “We’ve been feeling the impacts of climate change for years,” said Suman Moktan from Namche. “Snow now falls at strange times, and the heat comes when we don’t expect it — the mountains are changing.”
Local representatives have also stressed the need to prioritize climate adaptation programs. “When snow falls at the wrong time, transportation, tourism, and livelihoods are all disrupted,” said Ward Chair Adhikari. “Our economy is tied to the mountains, the government must bring special plans for this region.”
