Dozens of Israelis Stranded in Nepal Amidst Severe Flooding and Landslides

Dozens of Israeli tourists are stranded in various regions of Nepal, including the Annapurna and Manaslu areas, due to extreme weather conditions. Heavy and continuous rainfall has caused widespread road and bridge blockages, leading to severe travel disruptions and a high risk of flooding in mountainous areas. Many trekking routes have been shut down entirely.

The Israeli Embassy in Nepal is coordinating with tour operators and local guides to establish contact with stranded Israelis and facilitate their relocation to safer areas. The situation center of the insurance company PassportCard is also assisting numerous travelers caught in affected regions. According to PassportCard, 17 Israelis are in the Annapurna region, another 17 in Manaslu (including the village of Samagaun), four in the Tsum Valley, and two near Everest. Four insured individuals require medical assistance and will be evacuated once weather permits, though their lives are not currently in danger.

Israeli tourist Yarin, in Samagaun, described the severe conditions, including landslides near their location and a lack of electricity. She stated that leaving the village is impossible due to collapsed bridges and blocked roads, describing a "real danger to our lives." Another Israeli, identified as 'A.', recounted starting a trek under favorable conditions before a severe winter system, described as a cyclone, hit unexpectedly. Tourists faced hypothermia and altitude sickness while attempting to reach Samagaun, a village at approximately 3600 meters, and became trapped there.

'A.' reported continuous rain and frequent landslides in Samagaun, creating a constant rumble. While he has been evacuated for medical treatment, he noted that dozens of other Israelis remain in the area, awaiting evacuation. Tourists are concerned about further deterioration of conditions and the possibility of spending another night without adequate shelter. Insurance companies have stated that immediate mass evacuations are not possible.

The extreme weather began earlier in the month, causing landslides and floods in remote areas, damaging infrastructure, roads, bridges, and homes. The article notes that the broader disaster in Nepal has resulted in over 1,200 deaths and more than 5,000 missing persons, with rescue teams working in challenging conditions.