KATHMANDU, 27 October: In a crucial move to ensure the safety of tourists, the Government of Nepal has announced a complete ban on trekking in the country’s high hilly and Himalayan regions for three days, starting from Kartik 12 to Kartik 14 (October 29 to October 31).
The decision was prompted by alarming meteorological forecasts predicting extreme conditions across high-altitude areas. Authorities have warned of heavy rainfall, severe snowstorms, and a high risk of avalanches triggered by a cyclonic system originating in the Bay of Bengal.
Issuing an urgent advisory on Tuesday, the Department of Immigration and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) urged all domestic and international trekkers to halt their journeys immediately. Additionally, the Department of Immigration has temporarily suspended the issuance of trekking permits for high-risk zones during this period.
Surya Prasad Chapagain, Director of the Department of Immigration, emphasized the gravity of the situation, explicitly instructing tourists to prioritize their safety. “All tourists and trekkers, even those who have taken permission to trek in prohibited areas, are requested to not start trekking or stop it at safe places in view of possible natural disasters for three days starting from October 29,” Chapagain stated in the official release.
Backing the government’s mandate, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) has instructed all affiliated travel and trekking agencies to immediately suspend expeditions toward high-altitude passes. Agencies have been directed to relocate trekkers currently in vulnerable locations to secure zones and halt any further ascents until the weather clears.
The severe weather is also expected to disrupt transportation, with flight delays and cancellations highly likely at mountain airports like Lukla and Jomsom, alongside a risk of landslides on hilly roadways.
Tourists traveling in Nepal are advised to continuously monitor official weather advisories and coordinate with their trekking agencies for safe accommodation.
Emergency Contact Numbers for Tourists:For immediate assistance and updates during the three-day alert period, the authorities have provided the following toll-free hotlines:
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Weather Updates (Nepal Meteorological Dept): 1155
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National Emergency Operation Centre: 1234
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Tourist Police: 1144
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Nepal Police: 100
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Armed Police Force (APF): 1114
