Kathmandu: Authorities in both Tibet and Nepal have suspended access to Mount Everest after unseasonably heavy snowfall blanketed the region, disrupting tourism and rescue operations during what is normally a busy trekking season.

In Tibet, officials in Tingri County halted ticket sales and closed access routes to the Everest base camp as thick snow and icy roads made travel nearly impossible. The local tourism department cited dangerously low visibility and freezing conditions, saying the move was necessary to ensure the safety of visitors and workers.

On the Nepalese side, trekking routes across popular mountain regions including Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri were closed after continuous snowfall and rainfall made trails hazardous. A private rescue helicopter crashed near Lobuche while attempting to land in deep snow, though the pilot survived. The fate of several trekkers who were nearby remains uncertain.

Meteorologists say the extreme weather is being fueled by a combination of Cyclone Montha’s moisture and a strong western disturbance, creating heavy precipitation across the Himalayan belt.

The unseasonal snow, which arrived weeks earlier than expected, has raised concerns among local guides and environmental experts who warn of increasing weather volatility in the region.

This is the second major weather disruption near Everest this month.

Earlier in October, a powerful blizzard in Tibet’s Karma Valley stranded hundreds of trekkers and guides before all were safely evacuated in a large-scale rescue effort.

Travel agencies in Kathmandu report numerous flight cancellations to Lukla, the gateway to Everest, while lodges in remote mountain villages are struggling with power outages and blocked supply routes.

Officials on both sides of the mountain said conditions are being closely monitored, with more snow and rain forecast over the coming days. Climbers and trekkers have been advised to delay their trips until the weather stabilizes.

The early onset of winter-like conditions is another reminder of the unpredictable climate patterns now affecting the Himalayas, threatening not only tourism but also the livelihoods of local communities who depend on the annual trekking season.