Nepal reports increase in Everest height, joint announcement with China soon

3 years ago

Nepal reports increase in Everest height, joint announcement with China soon

Nepal had launched a measurement mission in April 2019. The Nepali side already completed its task almost a year ago but was waiting for the Chinese side to finalise a date for the announcement.

Nepali officials involved in the re-measurement of the height of Mount Everest, the highest peak of the world, say the peak has appeared taller than it was.

They say the new height is announced very soon in partnership with the Chinese government as a face of the peak lies in Tibet.

Nepal’s cabinet meeting held on Wednesday endorsed Land Management Minister Padma Kumari Aryal’s proposal about announcing the new height of the mountain, it has been learned. However, the minister did not tell anyone how high the mountain was measured exactly.

Some officials claim the announcement is likely next week. Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe is expected to arrive in Kathmandu coming Sunday, and the height will be announced immediately if he agrees. 

Although Nepal had planned the remeasurement of the Everest height, believed to be altered by the 2015 earthquake, on its own, the two countries made an agreement in October last year to announce the height jointly. Following that, China measured the height of Everest from the northern side in May this year.