After floods in Nepal, guides prepare for trekking season in mourning — ABC News Australia
In Nepal, guides are preparing for the peak trekking season, which runs from September to November, amid devastating floods and losses in local communities. As ABC News Australia reports, Nepalese authorities said that 1,118 bodies had been found, while more than 3,900 people are still considered missing. At least 38 Australians are among those whose fate remains unknown.
SheGuide Treks founder Eka Devi Mainali said she had lost many friends and acquaintances. She is coordinating aid for the families of 19 of her friends who are still missing, including supporting their wives and children. From her office in Kathmandu, Mainali is also collecting children's clothing for people in flood-affected areas.
Tourism between loss and income
Guide Shishir Sapkota, who has run the Mato Manchey Ra Himal tourism business for three years, said the floods did not affect his family and friends. At the same time, he said that in the closely connected community of guides and local residents, everyone feels the losses. Sapkota has tours booked for the season, but because of the situation, his plans remain uncertain.
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Tourism is an important part of Nepal's economy: before the pandemic, it accounted for about 7% of GDP. Nepal's Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel urged travellers not to cancel their trips, saying that the arrival of tourists could support the country during the disaster.
Route conditions
Tour operators continue to work while assessing the impact of the floods on roads, transport, accommodation and local communities. Intrepid Travel, which operates 26 tours in Nepal, reported that its clients and staff were safe. Two of its routes pass through the affected region: Tamang Heritage and Langtang Valley Trek. Both usually include an overnight stay in the village of Syabrubesi, which suffered significant destruction.
Kathmandu Airport is operating normally, and the main trekking areas of Annapurna, Everest and Kanchenjunga are functioning normally, according to operators. At the same time, travellers are advised to monitor route conditions. Australia's government service Smartraveller recommended reconsidering the need to travel to the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river areas because of a high risk of further flooding, landslides and mudflows.
