MANANG: Five people lost their lives on the Annapurna Trekking route last fiscal year.
Known for its stunning beauty, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is also one of the world’s most hazardous treks, ranking as the 10th most risky globally.
The deceased included one US citizen, one Indian national, one Briton, and two Nepalis.
According to Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, chief of the Annapurna Area Conservation Project (ACAP) unit, the majority of fatalities were attributed to high-altitude sickness.
A 69-year-old US citizen died after falling off a cliff in Khotro of Naso rural municipality-3 in Manang. A 35-year-old tourist from India succumbed to high-altitude sickness at Todanda of Manang Ngisyang rural municipality-9.
The Briton was found dead in a hotel room in Meta, Narpabhumi rural municipality-2.
Hari Adhikari, 35, a porter from Phulkharka in Ganga Jamuna rural municipality, died from altitude sickness near Chulubes Camp in Manang Ngisyang-6.
Dadhiram Dangi, 49, from Ghorahi Sub-Metropolis-9 in Dang, passed away near Tilicho Basecamp. An autopsy report for Dangi is awaited.
Binod Gurung, Chair of the Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Manang, stressed the importance of knowing the weather conditions in Manang before embarking on the trek.
He emphasized that the weather in Manang demands a gradual adaptation process, and neglecting this may significantly increase the risk of high-altitude sickness.
