Gopal Sharma

Flash floods triggered by an ice avalanche in the Himalayan border region between Nepal and Tibet have killed at least 17 people and caused widespread destruction. Mudslides and flooding damaged roads, communications, power links, bridges and hydroelectric projects, affecting more than 12 percent of Nepal’s national power capacity. Rescue operations and emergency evacuations were ordered by Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

British climber Kenton Cool completed his 20th ascent of Mount Everest, extending his record for the most summits by a non-Sherpa climber. He reached the 8,849-metre summit before dawn and began descending with a Furtenbach Adventures expedition team. Cool said the climb remains frightening despite his experience, while expedition organizers praised his achievement. Nepali Sherpa Kami Rita retains the overall Everest record with 32 ascents.

Kami Rita Sherpa has summited Mount Everest for a record 32nd time while guiding clients for 14 Peaks Expedition, surpassing his own previous record. Nepal’s Department of Tourism praised the achievement and his role in promoting mountain tourism. Lakhpa also completed her 11th ascent, the most by any woman. The report details Kami Rita’s long climbing career, the importance of Sherpa guides to foreign expeditions, and the records held by other prominent climbers.

A 21-year-old Sherpa guide, Phura Gyaljen Sherpa, died after falling into a crevasse near Camp III on Mount Everest, bringing the Himalayan climbing season’s reported death toll to five. Despite the fatalities, travel disruptions and delays caused by dangerous ice, 492 permits have been issued for Nepal’s April-to-May climbing season, up from 478 in 2023. Officials say climbers continue to arrive, while mountaineering remains an important source of income and employment for Nepal.

A minor fire in the right rear tyre of a Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 arriving from Istanbul forced the safe evacuation of all 277 passengers and 11 crew members at Kathmandu airport. The fire was extinguished and the aircraft towed away, but the airport’s sole runway was closed for about an hour, delaying other flights. No injuries were reported.

Nearly 19 million people are registered to vote in Nepal’s first general election since youth-led protests, which resulted in 77 deaths and forced the previous prime minister to resign. Voting began under extensive security measures amid concerns about unemployment, corruption, governance and long-standing political instability. The Rastriya Swatantra Party, led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, is considered a frontrunner alongside established figures such as K.P. Sharma Oli and Gagan Thapa. Early results are expected by Friday, while full results may take more than a week; analysts warn that unmet youth expectations could trigger further unrest.

Nepal has opened voting in its first general election since youth-led protests over a social media ban, corruption, unemployment and poor governance left 77 people dead and forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign. About 19 million voters are choosing 275 lawmakers, with more than 3,400 candidates competing across 65 parties. The established UML, Nepali Congress and Nepali Communist Party face a strong challenge from the younger Rastriya Swatantra Party, led by former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah. More than 300,000 security personnel have been deployed, while voters and analysts say the next government must deliver jobs, curb corruption and meet the aspirations of the protesters or risk renewed unrest.

Seven people, including five foreign climbers and two local guides, were killed in an avalanche at a camp on Nepal’s 5,630-metre Yalung Ri Himal in Dolakha district. Five others were injured, while rescuers worked to reach the remote site. The victims’ nationalities and identities had not been confirmed. The incident followed a separate avalanche in South Tyrol, Italy, that killed five German mountaineers.

Seven people—five foreign climbers and two local guides—were killed in an avalanche at a camp on Nepal’s 5,630-metre Yalung Ri Himal. Five others were injured, and rescuers were traveling to the remote site on foot. The victims’ nationalities and identities had not been confirmed. The report also describes a separate avalanche in Italy’s South Tyrol that killed five German mountaineers, while two survivors were taken to hospital.

A government-appointed investigation panel found that incorrect takeoff-speed information caused Saurya Airlines’ CRJ-200LR to enter a deep stall and crash shortly after departing Kathmandu in July 2024, killing 18 people. The report identified failures involving the aircraft’s speed card, prior high-pitch-rate issues, and cargo and baggage handling, and recommended that airlines review speed data and comply with handling rules. It also urged Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority to review procedures for non-scheduled flights, while Saurya Airlines pledged to implement the recommendations. The crash renewed scrutiny of Nepal’s poor aviation safety record and the European Union’s ban on Nepal-certified carriers.

Ukrainian-American structural engineer Andrew Ushakov claims he climbed from sea level in New York to Mount Everest’s summit in slightly less than four days. He used a hypoxic tent and supplemental oxygen but said he did not use Xenon gas, unlike four British climbers who recently made a similar unverified ascent. The feat bypassed the acclimatization period typical of Everest expeditions, and its record status remains uncertain because Nepal has no official body to validate mountaineering records. Ushakov prepared for two years, after an unsuccessful attempt the previous year, and hopes his achievement will inspire his young son and others to pursue mountaineering.