KATHMANDU: Nepal's major trekking and mountaineering destinations remain operational for the upcoming autumn season despite the devastating flash floods that have affected parts of the country, the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) said.

The association said Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Dolpo and Far-Western Nepal, among other unaffected mountain regions, remain open based on information currently available.

The clarification comes after the August 26 flash floods caused extensive loss of life and damage in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Nepal-China border areas and communities along the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli corridor.

NMA said the disaster should not be taken as a reflection of conditions across Nepal as a whole, noting that many major tourism and mountaineering destinations are geographically separate from the affected areas.

Rescue teams deployed

At the same time, the association said it was supporting rescue operations in the flood-affected areas by deploying mountain guides and rescue personnel trained to work in difficult terrain.

The rescue team, led by NMA Board Member Bikram Karki and Jenjin Sherpa, along with Dawa Tseri Lama, is assisting ongoing operations in difficult-to-access locations, according to the association.

NMA said it remained ready to deploy additional personnel and resources in coordination with the authorities.

The association has urged visitors travelling in or near Rasuwa, Nuwakot and the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli corridor to follow instructions from local authorities and security agencies and avoid flooded roads, rivers, riverbanks, unstable slopes, bridges and other areas affected by floods and landslides.

It also said some road sections towards Mustang from the Malekhu side and the Langtang trekking area had been affected by floods and landslides.

Destination-specific travel advice

NMA said it would continue monitoring mountain access, weather, trekking routes and climbing conditions and issue updates if any area becomes unsafe because of severe weather, snowfall, avalanches, landslides or damaged access routes.

It urged international media, tourism partners, expedition companies and travellers to rely on verified information from official authorities and recognised tourism organisations rather than generalise conditions across the country.

NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa said the association's first responsibility was to stand with communities affected by the disaster and support rescue and relief efforts.

"At the same time, many of Nepal's major trekking and mountaineering regions remain unaffected and operational. We ask all visitors to remain informed, travel responsibly and follow official safety guidance," he said.

The association said Nepal continued to welcome international tourists, trekkers, mountaineers and adventure travellers and encouraged visitors to coordinate with professional trekking and expedition operators.