At least 60 people have been killed in Nepal after incessant monsoon rains triggered devastating landslides and floods across several parts of the country, police said on Monday.

Police spokesman Binod Ghimire confirmed the death toll and stated that at least four individuals remain missing. They were swept away by Pering stream, near Ghodatabela, a stopover point along the Langtang trekking route.

A group of 16 Nepali trekkers was heading to Langtang during the Dashain festival. Twelve of them turned back midway but became stranded along the route. The Nepal Army rescued them and sent them home. Of the rescued group, eight took a bus back to Kathmandu, while four were airlifted from Syaphrubesi.

The group had set out on the trek despite heavy rainfall warnings issued for Friday through Sunday. Authorities had imposed a ban on vehicular movement in major parts of central and eastern Nepal due to the hazardous weather.

The team of trekkers set out to the trek despite warning of heavy rainfall from Friday to Sunday. The authorities imposed a ban on vehicular movement in major parts of central and eastern Nepal.

“Nepali trekkers tend to think they are immune to natural disasters, altitude sickness, and other high-altitude risks,” said Sagar Pandey, president of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). “They often refuse to hire guides or check weather forecasts, preferring to explore on their own.”

According to Dhindu Lama, Chairperson of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality Ward 4, the search and rescue team comprising of army and police personnel found a backpack cover and two umbrellas about 300 meter downstream.

The eastern Ilam district suffered the heaviest losses, with 37 fatalities resulting from multiple landslides that began on Saturday night.

“Police are working with other stakeholders in the affected areas to carry out search, rescue, and relocation operations,” Ghimire said. He noted that landslides were the main issue in hilly areas, while floods were widespread in the southern plains. Lightning strikes since late Friday have also claimed at least two lives.

The severe weather has caused widespread infrastructure damage. According to police reports, rainfall has washed away or severely damaged several roads, bridges, and over a dozen hydropower plants.

In response to the ongoing severe weather and the perceived risk of further landslides, the government has announced a two-day public holiday for Sunday and Monday and restricted vehicle movement on major highways.

Even high-altitude regions were not spared. A South Korean climber died on Mera Peak (6,476m) amid blizzard conditions. A Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) rescue team, composed of IMFGA-certified climbers, was initially grounded due to weather but later recovered the body from an altitude of around 6,100 meters, said rescue guide Ashish Gurung.

Nepal National Mountain Guide Association

Even high-altitude regions were not spared. A South Korean climber died on Mera Peak (6,476m) amid blizzard conditions. A Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) rescue team, composed of IMFGA-certified climbers, was initially grounded due to weather but later recovered the body from an altitude of around 6,100 meters, said rescue guide Ashish Gurung.

Taejun Park, 46, and his guide Temba Sherpa were caught in the blizzard on Saturday night. Park died during the descent, while Sherpa managed to escape and provided information that helped rescuers locate the body.

“There have been no other reported incidents so far. We have a rapid response team of climbers and high-altitude rescuers on standby in case of emergencies,” said NMA President Phurba Gyalgen Sherpa.

The autumn climbing season on Mount Manaslu (8,163m) has just concluded. Climbers are now heading toward Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m), and preparations are underway for expeditions to Mount Ama Dablam (6,812m).

Meanwhile, the trekking route between Namche and Gokyo in the Everest region has sustained damage in several sections due to landslides. TAAN President Pandey said an alternate mule track, located about 2,300 meters above the main route, can be used to bypass the affected area.

Landslides and floods are common in the Himalayan nation during the monsoon season, killing hundreds every year. Experts attribute the high death toll to Nepal’s rugged terrain, limited forecasting capabilities, and inadequate post-disaster response systems.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, a total of 285 people have died due to natural disasters since mid-April this year.