KATHMANDU: Heavy snowfall and avalanches have hindered the efforts of rescuers to save seven trekkers including four South Korean nationals gone contactless after an avalanche hit a famous trekking route in western Nepal.

Nepal’s Department of Tourism official Meera Acharya told Khabarhub that a rescue team heading to the Annapurna region is likely to return due to continuous avalanches and snowfall.

Weather conditions are poor with the temperature dropping in, making the operation more difficult.

Four South Koreans and three Nepalis, guides and porters and who were separated from their nine-member group are still out of contact as over 150 Nepalis and foreigners rescued from around the area on Saturday alone.

Out of 150 rescued, 64 have been brought to Pokhara through choppers, Acharya added.

Meanwhile, four Chinese trekkers who had gone missing in Manang district have been rescued.

They have been identified as Whang Ehin (passport: EG 112962), Chhath Sthau (passport: EO 5256480), Ma Quoyanli (passport: EC 346710) and Nbadd Jad (passport: E 6687005).

The trekkers had taken a permit for Thongla Pass from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project at Nisyang rural municipality-9 in Manang on January 12.