Berhampur: The devastating flash floods in Nepal, which have claimed over 500 lives so far, may have heightened safety concerns among trekkers, but seasoned mountaineers in Odisha believe the disaster will not discourage serious climbers from pursuing adventure in the mountains.Ganesh Jena (55) of Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district, who has climbed 28 peaks, including Mt Everest, says risks are an inseparable part of mountaineering. The area near Kathmandu, where flooding took place, generally attracts trekkers, says Jena who scaled four peaks in Nepal, including Mt Everest in 2011 and Kala Patthar, but has never gone to Kailash Mansarovar.Though fear of psychosis has been created among the parents of the hikers and new trekkers, the devastating floods in Nepal are unlikely to deter the true mountaineers, says Nurshing Sahoo (42), director of Odisha Mountaineers Association (OMA). Sahoo, who has 10 years of experience in mountaineering and is a trainer, adds he has planned to resume his adventure sports this year after a gap of two years. “Trained mountaineers have experience in tackling difficult times while climbing mountains as they have already encountered such situations,” says Sahoo who had climbed the seven highest peaks of various mountains.Madhusmita Patra (32) of Berhampur, who also has a similar feat, echoes Jena and Sahoo. “Definitely, the fear psychosis will develop among the parents of the mountaineers, while the devastation caused by the flash floods strikes their minds,” she says.Sahoo adds Kathmandu is the base, from where mountaineers take different routes to the summits. Among the popular places for climbers are Mount Everest, Everest Base camp and trails of Annapurna.