Rescue efforts are underway in the remote Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest where a snowstorm has trapped nearly 1,000 people in campsites on the eastern side of the mountain, according to Chinese state media.
Hundreds of local villagers and rescue teams have been deployed to clear out snow blocking access to the area which sits at an altitude of more than 4,900 metres (16,000 feet).
Chinese media reported that some tourists have been rescued already.
Heavy snowfall began on Friday evening and has intensified on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet, which is a popular area for climbers and hikers.
Tibet's Blue Sky Rescue team received a call for help about collapsed tents due to the heavy snow, with reports of some hikers suffering from hypothermia.
The Tingri County Tourism Company has suspended ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area starting Saturday, as per Reuters news agency.
The region is facing extreme weather at the moment, as neighboring Nepal has been battered by heavy rains triggered by landslides and flash floods, resulting in the loss of at least 47 lives in the last two days.
In China, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall, prompting evacuations of about 150,000 residents from their homes.
Mount Everest stands as the highest peak in the world at over 8,849 meters. Despite the allure of its summit, climbing Everest has become increasingly dangerous, raising concerns about overcrowding, environmental issues, and a series of fatalities in recent years.
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