Key Takeaways:

• All 30 climbers at Dhaulagiri Base Camp retreated due to adverse weather and heavy rainfall forecasts
• The team has moved to Italian Base Camp and other safer locations, with some members flown to Pokhara by helicopter
• Authorities have identified Myagdi as a high-risk district for heavy rainfall through Sunday
• The Department of Tourism and ACAP have advised climbers and trekkers to avoid heading toward mountain base camps until conditions improve

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 25 A team of mountaineers attempting to climb Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the world's seventh-highest mountain, has retreated from base camp after deteriorating weather conditions and forecasts of heavy rainfall forced expeditions to suspend activities. According to tourism entrepreneur Indra Singh Sherchan, who coordinated the expedition, all 30 climbers stationed at Dhaulagiri Base Camp in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-4 moved to safer locations on Thursday. 'Based on forecasts of heavy rainfall from Sept. 25 to 27 and the potential risks posed by the adverse weather, the team decided to retreat to safety,' Sherchan said. The climbers have descended to the Italian Base Camp, where they plan to wait for weather conditions to improve. Expedition members said the climb has been paused rather than cancelled. 'They have descended to the Italian Base Camp and will resume the expedition if the weather improves after four days,' Sherchan added. Some members of the expedition were airlifted to Pokhara by helicopter. The group had arrived at Dhaulagiri Base Camp last Saturday through the trekking companies 8K Expeditions, Seven Summit Treks and 14 Peaks Expeditions. The retreat comes after the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority identified Myagdi as one of the districts at highest risk from heavy rainfall between Thursday and Sunday. The Department of Tourism has issued a public notice urging climbers in the Himalayan region to remain alert, while the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has advised trekkers and mountaineers not to travel towards base camps until weather conditions stabilise. For the current autumn climbing season, the Department of Tourism has issued permits to 34 climbers, including 10 women, in four expedition teams for Dhaulagiri. The department has collected Rs7.782 million in permit royalties. Department records show 28 climbers obtained permits during the 2026 spring season, while 36 climbers received permits during the autumn 2082 BS season. Dhaulagiri is considered one of Nepal's more technically demanding and weather-sensitive peaks. Rapidly changing conditions, heavy snowfall and avalanche risks frequently challenge expeditions on the mountain. The deteriorating weather has also affected tourism activities elsewhere in the district. Tourists travelling to Annapurna Base Camp in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 have begun returning as conditions worsen. According to Maurice Herzog Trail advocate Tej Gurung, trekking activity along the route has been suspended since Thursday. He said many visitors had already cancelled trips due to the recent Bhote Koshi floods and continuing adverse weather, dealing a blow to tourism operators just as the autumn travel season was beginning. (With inputs from RSS)