Search operation begins for eight missing trekkers stranded on Kedartal trek in Uttarakhand

A special operation was launched on Sunday by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for the search and rescue of eight missing persons, including seven trekkers and one guide, who are stranded on the Kedartal trek in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district due to bad weather and snowfall. According to a report by 'The Hindu', the matter began on October 27, when a group of 13 people, consisting of seven trekkers and six support staff, started their journey from Gangotri for the Kedartal trek.

This entire group was supposed to return on October 29, but due to adverse weather conditions in the region, the routes were closed. Due to glaciers and heavy snowfall, these people could not return on time and got stranded there. Amidst this entire sequence of events, according to information provided by officials, one member of this stranded group has also sustained an injury to the head.

Considering the seriousness of the situation, a team had already reached the Kedartal area from Gangotri for a primary assessment. However, due to the continuous heavy snowfall and poor conditions there, the team's progress was halted and they faced difficulties. To resolve this difficult situation, it was decided by the SDRF to conduct aerial reconnaissance and search in the area with the help of a helicopter.

Officials stated that according to the orders of SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi, a special mountaineering team has been deployed to locate the missing persons. As part of this operation, two SDRF personnel, Head Constable Ravi Chauhan and Constable Deepak Pant, reached Harsil by helicopter on Sunday. From there, they conducted two deep aerial reconnaissance flights over the Kedartal area, but no clear signs of the missing trekkers or their tents were seen during these flights.

Amidst this situation, to further accelerate the rescue operation, another team has been sent from the SDRF Battalion Headquarters. This newly dispatched team has been equipped with necessary rescue and mountaineering equipment, so that as soon as the weather improves, this search and rescue operation can be immediately pushed forward.

Furthermore, officials have also clarified that as part of this ongoing search operation, a specific action plan for future operations is being prepared in coordination with the concerned agencies. Rescue teams had already left for Gangotri on Saturday to assist the stranded trekkers and support staff, and currently, all possible efforts are being continued by the administration.