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The Annapurna Conservation Area, the renowned destination for trekking globally, reported 21 deaths due to altitude sickness during the fiscal year 2080-81 BS (2023-24).  Of them, six are Nepalis.

According to Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Chief, Dr Rabin Kadariya, among the dead, 11 are Indians, two are Malaysians, one is Ukrainian and one is Briton.

Most of the casualties took place along the Muktinath area in Mustang.

Some people suffering from altitude sickness were rescued by helicopters.

Kadariya said that the ACAP started archiving such incidents last year.

A journey to a high altitude demands special care. It should be undertaken gradually, getting adjusted to the atmospheric conditions, he said. Once the altitude sickness is sensed, one should promptly climb down, he said.

A human skeleton of a Swedish national who had been missing during the Mardi Peak trek was found recently after seven months of missing. 

A sole trek along a long route is not recommended. It must be observed in a group or accompanied by a guide. 

The ACAP welcomed 222,180 foreign tourists last year. Of them, 117,845 were from Asian countries, and 104,256 were from other countries.

The highest arrivals: 35,265 were in the month of Chaitra (March-April) and the lowest was 5, 401 in the month of Shrawan (July-August), the first month of the fiscal year.

Dr Kadariya said last year around 50,000 plus people visited the area compared to the previous fiscal year. A total of 172,510 people: 89,777 from South Asia and 82,733 visited the area during the fiscal year 2079-80 BS (2022-23).

The Annapurna Conservation Area spanning 7,600 square kilometers covers 89 wards of 16 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang.

Rich in natural beauty, bio-diversities, civilization, unique mountain life, and culture, the Annapurna Conservation Area is one of the most desired trekking routes for people from home and abroad.

Adverse weather affected the flights at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday.

According to TIA's General Manager Jagannath Niraula, adverse weather and subsequent low visibility issues have affected both domestic and international flights.

Niraula said that flights to Pokhara have been canceled and those to Janakpur and Simara have been delayed.

Towards international service, a flight by Air China has been diverted back. It was scheduled to land at TIA at 10:55 am today. Some international flights were made to be on hold.  

Buddha Air's information officer Dipendra Kumar Karna confirmed the cancellation of the Kathmandu-Pokhara flight while the flight towards Bharatpur Airport was delayed.

The Buddha's air flight to Surkhet this morning was diverted to Pokhara owing to the adverse weather that generally affected the domestic services at TIA on Tuesday.

At present, the country is under the influence of monsoon wind.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, presently the monsoon trough is positioned slightly northward, triggering partial to general rainfall across the country. 

Presently, light to moderate rain with thunder is taking place in some parts of Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim Provinces and a few places in the rest of the provinces.

Heavy rain has been forecast at one or two places of the Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashim Provinces.

After a long wait, both the border points with Tibet of China have been opened.

The Ruila border point in Chumanbri Rural Municipality-1 and Nguila border point in Chumanbri Rural Municipality-7 of Gorkha have been opened, rural municipality Chairman Nima Lama informed.

Ruila border crossing has been open for 15 days and Nguila crossing for a month, Lama said.

The border points, closed by the Chinese side, were opened for a short time after five years.

Locals have been elated after the opening of the border crossings.

“Our border points have been opened. Now, the people can go to the Tibetan markets to buy daily essentials,” Chetan Chumbel Lama of Chumanbri-7 said, adding,” We have been asked to bring citizenship and pass. Now, the villagers are preparing to go to Shyak of Tibet.”

Though the border points are open, people are allowed to take only horses, not yaks, to transport goods.

Nguila border points were opened from Tuesday and Ruila from Wednesday.

During a meeting between the representatives of Chekampar and Tibetan officials, an understanding was reached that the border points will be opened from May.

The Chinese side had closed all 14 border points including Nguila border in Chumanbri-7 and Ruila border in Chumanbri-1 after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The influence of monsoon winds is still continuing throughout the country.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the low-pressure line of the monsoon is located in some north direction of the southern area. Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is taking place at a few places of Bagmati, Gandaki and Sudurpashchim Provinces and at one or two places of the rest of the provinces today.

According to the Department, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy throughout the country this afternoon. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces and at a few places in the rest of the provinces.

Heavy rainfall is also likely to occur at one or two places of Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.

According to the Department, it will be partly to generally cloudy throughout the country tonight.

Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Bagmati, Lumbini, Gandaki, Sudur Paschim and Karnali Provinces and at a few places in the rest of the provinces.

The Department has urged the public to take necessary precautions in view of risks of disasters such as flood, landslide and soil erosion in the areas prone to heavy rainfall.