Kathmandu, 24 Sep: The Department of Tourism has urged tourists, trekkers, mountaineers and support staff involved in trekking and mountaineering activities to exercise a high level of caution in view of the forecast of heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions across various parts of the country.
Issuing a public notice today, the department’s Information Officer Suraj Ghimire said the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds in different parts of the country from September 24 to 28 (Ashoj 8 to 12).
The department has advised tourists and those involved in trekking and mountaineering activities to remain particularly alert during this period, as heavy rainfall could increase the risk of soil erosion, floods and landslides. The authorities have also warned that snowfall could occur in mountainous areas due to the prevailing weather system.
According to the department, the adverse weather could have a significant impact on trekking routes and mountaineering destinations, potentially creating difficult and dangerous conditions for travelers in high-altitude and remote areas. Sudden changes in weather, heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and snowfall could affect visibility and make trails and mountain routes hazardous.
The Department of Tourism has therefore requested mountaineers, trekkers, tourists, guides, porters and other support staff to closely monitor weather conditions and take all necessary safety precautions.
The department has also appealed to concerned agencies and travel operators to avoid organizing or encouraging trekking and mountaineering trips during the forecast period wherever possible. It has specifically requested travelers to postpone their journeys if they are not essential.
However, if travel is unavoidable, the department has urged travelers and tour operators to proceed only after taking appropriate safety measures and carefully assessing the weather and route conditions.
The department has emphasized that the safety of tourists, trekkers, mountaineers and support personnel should remain the top priority during the period of adverse weather.
