Due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains since the night of Oct 3, movement along highways and roads has been difficult. Tourists visiting Nepal have been stranded in several parts of the country. However, as rainfall has now subsided, life is gradually returning to normal, and tourists are also able to reach their destinations, said Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
According to the NTB, most tourists currently in Nepal are trekking in regions such as Manaslu, Annapurna, Sagarmatha, and Langtang, while others are in Pokhara, Chitwan, and Kathmandu. CEO Joshi said there are currently around 21,000 tourists in Nepal, and all are safe. Since the beginning of October, around 3,500 tourists have been arriving daily—similar to last year’s figure. Although the board had expected daily arrivals to exceed 4,000 this season, the prolonged monsoon and reduced travel by GenZ tourists have had some impact.
“The situation for tourists in Nepal is now stable,” Joshi said. “Some tourists were stranded when road and air transport were disrupted due to the October 3 rains, but everyone is now in contact and safe. Road transport has resumed, and all major highways except the BP Highway have reopened.” Domestic flights at Tribhuvan International Airport, which were suspended throughout Saturday, also resumed on Sunday.
Some tourists had been stranded on Saturday, but local hotels, administrations, and communities provided support—offering discounted or even free accommodation. Joshi said this positive response has also helped promote Nepal as a destination that informs, assists, and protects tourists even during difficult situations.
Following the heavy rainfall warnings issued by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the NTB reported no major damage, crediting the safety measures adopted for tourists. The board has been disseminating information through trekking agencies and tourist police offices in major destinations such as Jomsom, Namche, Lukla, Gorkha, and Pokhara. It is also coordinating through social media and hotline numbers to assist tourists. “We have been receiving information through calls from tourists, travel agencies, and tourist police,” Joshi added.
One foreigner and five Nepalis have gone missing due to continuous rains. According to Joshi, a Korean national and his companion, Pemba Sherpa, who had come to Nepal for trekking, went missing while attempting to climb Mera Peak in Taplejung. Search and rescue operations are underway. Similarly, four Nepalis who had gone trekking in Langtang are also missing, and search efforts are ongoing.
September, October, and November are considered the peak months for both domestic and international tourism in Nepal—particularly for trekking and visits to Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. However, both domestic and foreign tourists are currently adopting a wait-and-see approach. The board has expressed optimism that the current situation caused by continuous rain, floods, and landslides will be resolved in a few days.
