Eight People, Including Trekkers, Missing After Heavy Snowfall in Indian Himalayas

Eight people, including trekkers, are missing in the Himalayan region of India’s Uttarakhand state following heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions. Rescue operations have been hampered by continued snowfall and poor visibility, local media reported.

The information was reported by Anadolu Agency on Tuesday (November 3).
According to the Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, rescuers found a tent buried under snow near Kedartal in Uttarkashi district, at an altitude of around 4,000 metres. Clothing, sandals and food supplies were also found nearby.
Search operations covering an area within a radius of two to three kilometres failed to locate the missing people. Later, rescuers were forced to suspend the operation as continued snowfall reduced visibility to almost zero.
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), a 10-member rescue team reached the accident site by helicopter on Monday.

The missing people include five trekkers from West Bengal, two women from Uttar Pradesh and a local guide.
They had started their journey from Gangotri on October 27 and were scheduled to return on October 29. Earlier, after an avalanche blocked their route, four people were rescued on Saturday. They included three porters and a cook.
Uttarakhand authorities said multiple avalanches along the trekking route had made both ground searches and helicopter operations difficult.

Due to heavy snowfall, authorities have closed all high-altitude trekking routes above 4,000 metres. Rescue operations are expected to resume once weather conditions improve.

Source: Anadolu Agency