MUSTANG: More than 550 tourists and over 100 vehicles have been stranded in Upper Mustang after days of heavy snowfall and landslides severed roads, electricity, and internet connections, local officials confirmed on Sunday.

The Jomsom–Korala highway, part of Nepal’s national pride road project linking to the Chinese border, has been severely damaged after multiple sections collapsed or were buried under landslides. Communication has been completely cut off with Lo Manthang, Chhusang, and Damodar Kunda since Saturday.

Mustang Police Chief DSP Chhiring Kippa Lama said more than half a dozen major slides have blocked the route above Chhusang. “Excavators are working to clear the debris, but it could take several more days,” he said.

According to Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Bhusal, 559 people and 108 vehicles are stuck across the upper region. “There is no contact with Upper Mustang. It may take at least three days to reopen the road,” he said.

The snowfall followed a surge of post-festival tourism, with more than 40,000 visitors entering Mustang in just ten days. Families of stranded travelers have been anxiously calling local authorities after losing contact for days.

Officials said the Jomsom–Kagbeni section has reopened, but roads beyond Chhusang remain impassable. Rescue and road-clearing work continues under challenging mountain conditions.