KATHMANDU, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's Department of Immigration on Tuesday urged trekkers to suspend trekking activities in high-altitude mountainous and Himalayan regions amid forecasts of heavy rainfall and snowfall as Cyclone Arnab intensifies over the Bay of Bengal.
Several provinces of the country were likely to experience heavy rainfall, while higher hilly areas and the Himalayan regions were expected to receive snowfall, the department said in a statement.
In view of the forecast for three days starting Thursday, trekkers who have obtained permits to visit high-altitude mountainous and Himalayan regions are requested to refrain from trekking to minimize potential risks, the statement said.
Trekkers who have already embarked on their journeys have been urged to remain in safe locations throughout the period.
The department also announced that trekking permits for restricted areas in high-altitude mountainous and Himalayan regions would not be issued during the period, with the measure taking effect on Tuesday. It has urged the trekking agencies, trekkers, guides and other concerned stakeholders to comply with the notice.
According to Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the cyclone is forecast to make landfall in India on Wednesday, with its impact expected to be felt in Nepal from Thursday night. ■
