KATHMANDU: Strong winds blew away several tents at Mount Everest's Camp II on Wednesday, temporarily halting the expedition of 50 climbers living in tents, according to an official.

By Wednesday evening the wind was hitting the tents at an estimated speed of 80-90 kilometers per hour and is expected to subside by Thursday morning.

"High winds since Wednesday morning blew away some tents on the mountain as dozens of climbers sought shelter at the camp to climb the 8,848.8-metre peak. There were about 50 climbers there, including from the US, Iran and Europe. Chang Dawa Sherpa, expedition manager of Seven Summits Trek, said Nepali climbers were involved when the incident occurred.

He said the camps are located at an altitude of 6,500 meters on Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, and all climbers are safe and have been shifted to other safe tents.

He said, "Now when the situation becomes normal on Thursday, there will be a need to put up tents again and the operation will be taken forward."

Nepal's Tourism Board handles permits for expeditions to Mount Everest and other mountains in the Himalayan nation.