Mount Everest blizzard: Nearly 1,000 trapped on eastern slope at Tibetan side; rescue efforts under way

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A severe blizzard on Mount Everest has left nearly 1,000 people stranded on the Tibetan side’s eastern slope, with rescue efforts underway amid blocked roads and heavy snowfall.Hundreds of local villagers and rescue teams have been deployed to clear snow and restore access to areas above 4,900 metres (16,000 feet), according to Jimu News, as quoted by Reuters. Although, some tourists have already been evacuated from the mountain.The snowfall began Friday evening and continued through Saturday, prompting the local Tingri County Tourism Company to suspend ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area, according to official notices on its WeChat account.Meanwhile, across the border in Nepal, heavy rains have triggered landslides and flash floods, washing away bridges, blocking roads, and causing at least 47 deaths since Friday, police said. Thirty-five fatalities were reported in Ilam district along the Indian border, nine people are missing after being swept away by floodwaters, and three others were killed in lightning strikes in other parts of the country.Authorities in both regions are intensifying rescue and relief operations to reach affected communities and stranded visitors.