Kathmandu, Oct 28: Nepal's Department of Immigration has suspended the issuance of trekking permits for restricted areas in the country's high-hill and Himalayan regions for October 29-31, citing forecasts of heavy snowfall, snowstorms and avalanches, Asian Lite reported.

Source: Asian Lite

The decision follows a warning from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, which urged tourists to avoid travelling to the affected areas during the three-day period. A special post-monsoon bulletin from the Nepal Meteorological Department said Cyclone Arnab in the Bay of Bengal was gaining strength and was expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds and a high risk of snowfall and avalanches across several parts of Nepal, Travel and Leisure Asia reported.

Source: Travel and Leisure Asia

The Department of Immigration, which issues trekking permits to foreign nationals visiting restricted areas, has also advised trekkers who have already obtained permits to suspend their journeys during the period. "Those who have already set out on their treks are urged to remain in safe locations," the department said in a statement. Trekking agencies, guides and other stakeholders have been asked to comply with the advisory.

Source: Asian Lite

The disaster management authority separately warned that road and air transport services and other aspects of daily life could be disrupted by the adverse weather. It advised people to avoid non-essential travel and to stay away from high-risk locations, particularly riverbanks that could be affected by flooding.

Authorities have urged trekkers, tourism operators and the public to keep monitoring forecasts and early warnings issued by the disaster management authority, the Meteorological Department and other government agencies until the weather risk passes.

Source: Asian Lite