Five dead along Annapurna Circuit in FY 2023/24

MANANG, Aug 4: Five people lost their lives on the Annapurna Circuit in the last fiscal year. The Annapurna Circuit, known for its stunning beauty, is also one of the world's most hazardous treks, ranking as the 10th most risky trekking routes globally, according to the state-owned RSS.

The deceased include 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 the fatalities occurred due to altitude sickness. 

According to RSS, the 69-year-old US citizen died after falling off a cliff at Khotro of Naso Rural Municipality-3 in Manang while the 35-year-old tourist from India succumbed to high-altitude sickness at Todanda of Manang’s Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9.  The Briton was found dead in a hotel room at Meta of Narpabhumi Rural Municipality-2.

Hari Adhikari, 35, a porter from Phulkharka in Ganga Jamuna Rural Municipality, died from altitude sickness near the Chulubes Camp in Manang’s Ngisyang-6.

Dadhiram Dangi, 49, from Ghorahi Sub-Metropolis-9 in Dang, passed away near the Tilicho Base Camp. An autopsy report of Dangi is awaited, RSS further reported. 

Binod Gurung, chair of the Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Manang, stressed the need to know the weather conditions in Manang before embarking on the trek. Weather in Manang demands a gradual adaptation process and neglecting this may significantly increase the risk of altitude sickness.