Cyclone Arnab strands 250 trekkers in Kanchenjunga region

Around 250 domestic and international tourists are stranded in the Kanchenjunga region of Taplejung district due to adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Arnab, which developed in the Bay of Bengal. Heavy snowfall in higher altitudes and continuous rain in lower areas have disrupted their treks, forcing them to take shelter in local hotels and settlements, according to local media reports.

Taplejung Chief District Officer Umesh Kumar Dahal said the 250 tourists are currently staying in various settlements and hotels across the Kanchenjunga area, with a higher concentration in Olangchunggola, Ghunsa, and Yamphudin. The District Administration Office has advised tourists to remain in safe locations and to assess weather conditions thoroughly before resuming their journeys.

All hotels in the Ghunsa area are fully occupied by both domestic and international tourists, photojournalist Rajiv Limbu, who is also stranded there, reported. Limbu’s team, on a trek to the Kanchenjunga base camp, has been stranded in Ghunsa for two days. Similarly, journalist Giriraj Baskota from Panchthar reported that hotels along the trekking routes, including those in Phale, are also filled to capacity.

The affected areas include settlements and hotels along the northern base camp trekking route such as Itali Tar, Lama Tar, Amjilesa, Thangim, Gyabla, Phale, Ghunsa, Khambachen, and Lonakal. Southern base camp areas like Yamphudin, Naya Jhoreni, Torongden, Seram, and Ramje have also seen an increased number of tourists seeking shelter.

In Olangchunggola, a group of approximately 60 domestic and international tourists, including a team from the Saraf Foundation conducting research on the historic Dikichhyorling Monastery, are also stranded. These tourists were en route to the Makalu base camp via Lumbasumba, according to tourism activist Hemraj Niroula, who is with the Saraf Foundation team.

The Armed Police Force and local ward offices have issued notices advising people to stay in safe places until weather conditions improve. Chief District Officer Dahal confirmed that no disaster-related incidents have been reported in the district despite the adverse weather.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has indicated that while Cyclone Arnab has weakened, light to moderate rainfall is still expected across Nepal, with some heavy rainfall possible in the eastern regions. Forecasters have warned of snowfall in high-altitude and Himalayan areas, urging high vigilance. The cyclone’s effects are projected to continue from Thursday night until Saturday, Kartik 14 (BS).

The cyclone’s impact is expected to be widespread across Koshi, Bagmati, Madhesh, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, with moderate to heavy rainfall also anticipated in Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces. Madhesh Province, in particular, may experience moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds, causing concern among farmers harvesting paddy in Sarlahi.

In a separate incident, the Armed Police Force used four drones to deliver relief materials to flood-affected areas of the Budhigandaki River in Gorkha district between Kartik 1 and 3 (BS). Roads and trekking paths were blocked by the floods, necessitating drone assistance for transporting food, tents, tarpaulins, medicine, and approximately 3,500 liters of fuel for road-clearing equipment.