Nepal blizzard, avalanche death toll rises to 29 as search continues
KATMANDU - Rescuers widened their search Friday for trekkers in Nepal's northern mountains who were stranded since a series of blizzards and avalanches battered the Himalayas early this week leaving at least 29 people killed, officials said.
The government, meanwhile, announced a high level committee with two senior ministers that would monitor and coordinate rescue efforts following criticism that the Nepal government was not doing enough to help.
Chief government official of Mustang district Baburam Bhandari said helicopters resumed search Friday to find the stranded trekkers and were covering a wider area. Trekkers were still stranded in small lodges and huts dotted along the Annapurna trail and hiking was difficult because of up to waist-deep snow and difficulty in following the trail.
