Pokhara, November 2
Heavy snowfall, floods, and landslides have cut off road, electricity, and internet connections to Upper Mustang, leaving more than 550 tourists and over 100 vehicles stranded. Several sections of the Jomsom–Korala road, a national pride project linking Upper Mustang have collapsed or been blocked by landslides, severely damaging the route.
Continuous rain and snow have disrupted transportation, electricity, and internet services from Chhusang upward beyond Kagbeni. According to local reports, roads and communication links to Upper Mustang, including Lomanthang, have been cut off since October 27–28, while Chhusang and Damodar Kunda areas lost contact from Saturday.
Mustang Police Chief DSP Chiring Kippa Lama said that police posts in the area have re-established limited contact. He reported that more than half a dozen major landslides have occurred above Chhusang, and excavators have been deployed to clear debris, though full restoration may take several more days.
Since the snowfall began on October 27, thousands of visitors have been traveling to Mustang, with around 40,000 tourists visiting the district in just 10 days after the Dashain and Tihar festivals. Many had reached as far as the Chinese border point at Korala by motorcycles, private cars, and public vehicles.
Despite earlier warnings from the District Administration Office against trekking in Upper Mustang and other high-altitude regions, many trekkers continued their journeys. Due to the snow and rain, rescue operations had to be carried out around Kagbeni and nearby areas. The weather has also caused landslides in Baragung Muktikshetra, killing livestock such as yaks and chyangra, and damaging infrastructure.
While the snowfall has uplifted local farmers, it has also increased natural hazards, officials said. Families of stranded tourists have expressed growing concern after losing contact with their relatives.
Mustang’s Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Bhusal said that preliminary estimates show 559 people and 108 vehicles have been stranded in Upper Mustang, where all means of communication remain down. “It will take at least three more days to clear the major landslides. We have yet to confirm the exact number of Nepali and foreign tourists. They are believed to be safe in hotels and local houses,” he said.
Police Chief Lama said that coordination efforts have been difficult due to the complete loss of communication. Tour operator Sudip Acharya, who recently returned from Lower Mustang with guests, said families have been calling continuously, worried about their relatives still in Upper Mustang.
“Neither the police nor the administration has exact information about how many tourists are there or where they are. Families are extremely anxious,” said Acharya, who runs Namaste Tours and Travels.
Acharya, who has been sharing photos and videos of rescue operations and the current situation in Mustang on social media, said many people have been calling him for updates. He mentioned that a group of family members last contacted from the Korala checkpoint around October 27 but have since gone out of reach.
Chief District Officer Bhusal said authorities aim to collect full information by Sunday. The Jomsom–Kagbeni road has reopened, allowing visitors to reach Muktinath again.
According to DSP Lama, the weather cleared on Saturday and Sunday morning, but clearing large landslides near Chhusang will take more time. Floods have washed away sections of the Korala road between Tangbe and Chhusang, and major landslides have destroyed the route.
“The entire area above Chhusang remains cut off. Travel is impossible until the road reopens. Multiple large landslides between Chhusang and Chhile still need to be cleared. Security personnel, including local police and armed forces, are working on-site, but given the scale of the damage, only excavator work is possible,” Lama said. “We have sent messages urging everyone there to stay safe that’s all we can do for now.”
