Overview
- A group of 13 people left Gangotri for the Kedartal trek on Oct. 27 and were due back two days later when heavy snowfall and glacier movement disrupted their return.
- A snow slide blocked the route beyond Bhojkharak, leaving eight people stranded while four support staff were located safe near Kachi Dhang after making phone contact with their trekking agency.
- District officials dispatched a 10-member NDRF team, SDRF personnel, forest department staff and trekking-agency members to clear the route and reach the stranded group.
- The district disaster management department has requested helicopter support for evacuation and rescue teams report one stranded person with a head injury requiring medical attention.
- Rescue work is slowed by ongoing bad weather and unstable glacier conditions, which keep ground access risky and make aerial searches and evacuations the likely next steps.