Adverse Weather on the Annapurna Circuit

Severe monsoon rainfall and hazardous trail conditions have disrupted trekking along the Annapurna Circuit, prompting hundreds of foreign hikers to abandon their journeys in Manang rather than attempt the Thorong La pass. According to Bhupendra Gurung, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Dharapani post in-charge, 246 foreign visitors—151 men and 95 women—retreated toward Lamjung between September 22 and 28. Incoming traffic recorded at the post dropped from over 100 hikers daily to just one or two.

The disruptions follow precautionary safety measures enforced by ACAP across the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Gaurishankar conservation areas following heavy rainfall warnings from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Authorities suspended permit issuance across the three areas until the afternoon of September 27 and barred travelers from entering until trail inspections concluded on September 28. ACAP has also made licensed guides mandatory beyond short-haul destinations, including Jomsom, Muktinath, and Ghandruk.