2024 in retrospect: A year of tragedies and triumphs for Nepal (photos)

Kathmandu, January 1 — Today marks the beginning of the English New Year, 2025.

The year 2024 was not just an ordinary year like any other; it brought with it many significant events in the social, political, economic, and national pride of Nepal. This year left us with numerous gifts and experiences, each one teaching us something valuable.

Let's recall some key political, social, cultural, and other events captured through photographs by Nepal Photo Library, which are worth remembering or forgetting for the Nepali people in 2024.

The year saw the country facing major incidents, including devastating floods and landslides, causing significant damage to both life and property across the Kathmandu Valley and beyond.

On July 12, a landslide on the Narayangadh-Muglin road in Chitwan’s Bharatpur Municipality-29 led to two buses being swept into the Trishuli River, with the bodies still missing.

On July 24, a tragic plane crash near Tribhuvan International Airport killed 18 people.

On August 7, a helicopter crash in Nuwakot's Shivapuri Rural Municipality killed five, and on September 28, a landslide in Dhunibesi Municipality-9, Dhading, resulted in the deaths of 35 people.

This year saw Nepal making its mark on the global stage. At the Paris Paralympics 2024, Nepali athlete Palesha Goverdhan won Nepal's first medal. In mountaineering, record-breaking climber Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 30th time, breaking his own record.

In the realm of women mountaineers, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa became the first Nepali woman to climb all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters at a young age. Nima Rinji Sherpa, at the age of 18, made history by climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, setting a new record.

This year also saw world-renowned climbers Nirmal Purja and Mingma Gyalje Sherpa set a new record by climbing all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters without oxygen.

They had previously scaled 13 peaks without supplemental oxygen. Shishapangma was their 14th and final peak. Purja had already summited 49 times the world’s highest mountains above 8,000 meters.

Photojournalist Purnima Shrestha made history this year by becoming the first woman to summit Mount Everest three times in one spring season, setting a new world record.

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