Eight people, including seven trekkers and a local guide, remain missing in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district after a trekking expedition to Kedartal turned dangerous amid heavy snowfall and avalanches. Rescue teams have been searching for the group for several days, but worsening weather and difficult terrain continue to make the operation challenging.
8 Trekkers Go Missing On Kedartal Trek, Uttarakhand
According to The Indian Express, on November 2, rescue personnel spotted tents, bags and other belongings near the Kedarkadak area. However, none of the missing trekkers could be traced. The search operation was also suspended later in the evening as fresh snowfall made conditions increasingly difficult.
According to reports, the group had set out from Gangotri on October 27 and was expected to return by October 29. The expedition comprised seven trekkers, a guide, a cook and three porters. However, heavy snowfall and avalanches disrupted their return journey, leaving eight members stranded in the high-altitude region.
The missing group includes five people from West Bengal, two women from Uttar Pradesh and a local guide from Uttarkashi. They have been identified as Tapas Bauri (30), Ratan Ghosh (23), Manoj Khovas (39), Rintu Mandal (40), Uday Ghosh (30), Vartika Verma (28), Deepika Verma (29) and 25-year-old guide Siddharth Rana.
Four members of the support staff, including three porters and a cook, were rescued near Kachchi Dhang on October 31 and brought back safely to Gangotri.
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What Happened During The Kedartal Trek?
The group began its expedition from Gangotri on October 27 after receiving permission for a three-day trek. However, the weather took a turn for the worse, with heavy snowfall and avalanches blocking parts of the route.
Authorities had received a weather alert on October 27, warning of adverse conditions expected on October 29. However, by the time the alert came in, the trekking group had already entered the route, and officials were unable to establish contact with them to pass on the warning.
On October 30, authorities received information that the group had been trapped amid the worsening weather conditions. The rescue operation began soon after, but multiple avalanches along the route made it difficult for teams to reach the affected stretch.
As of November 3, the search remains focused on locating the eight missing people. According to the latest available local reports, rescue teams are preparing to continue the operation through aerial and ground searches as weather conditions permit.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
What caused the trekkers to go missing on the Kedartal trek?
Heavy snowfall and multiple avalanches along the trekking route disrupted the group's return journey and left eight members missing.
Why have rescue operations been delayed?
Heavy snowfall, poor weather conditions, difficult terrain and multiple avalanche-prone stretches have made it challenging for rescue teams to reach the missing trekkers.
Where is Kedartal located?
Kedartal is a high-altitude glacial lake in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, situated in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is a popular but challenging trekking destination.
