In the first days of the autumn trekking season, on 4–5 October 2025, unseasonal heavy rain struck Nepal. Landslides and flash floods killed at least 47 people, including 35 in the tea-growing hills of Ilam in the east, and blocked highways across the country. At the same time, on 5 October, a blizzard struck the remote Karma valley near Everest's eastern Kangshung face in Tibet, trapping hundreds of trekkers, most of whom were later guided to safety.
In short: storms on 4–5 October 2025 killed at least 47 people in Nepal, mostly in Ilam, and a blizzard stranded hundreds of trekkers on Everest's Tibetan side.
Lessons for autumn trekkers
Early autumn can still bring late-monsoon storms. Keep spare days, follow forecasts and be ready to change plans. See our Nepal in October guide and Ilam guide.