DEHRADUN – The rescue operation in the high Himalayas of Uttarakhand has gained momentum. After two days of heavy snowfall on September 26 and 27 that left scores of mountaineers trapped, helicopter sorties on Monday successfully brought 27 more trekkers to safety.
According to SDRF, the trekkers were stuck in areas where 4 to 5 feet of fresh snow had accumulated, making trekking impossible.
SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi said teams acted swiftly despite tough terrain and inclement geography. The major evacuations on Monday were carried out in two phases.
The Kalindi Trek in Uttarkashi district has now been fully cleared. While 11 trekkers from Kalindi were airlifted on Monday morning, another eight were lifted in the first phase, taking the total from Kalindi to 19. All have been rescued, Yaduvanshi confirmed.
In the second phase, eight more trekkers were evacuated from Mount Jogin-I, and 11 trekkers were airlifted from the Vasuki Tal area. All 11 from Vasuki Tal were brought to the Harsil helipad and given a medical check-up. They are in good health. With this, the Vasuki Tal rescue has been completed.
Yaduvanshi said, “Weather was clear on Monday, so our helicopters remained busy throughout the day for airlifting.”
Officials had earlier informed that 179 trekkers were stranded in the high-altitude regions – 136 in Uttarkashi and 43 in Bageshwar. So far 67 have been rescued since Monday morning.
However, not all want to return. A senior government official said around 60 trekkers have refused evacuation and wish to continue their expedition. It is still not clear how many remain stranded at various locations.
