136 Trekkers and Mountaineers Stranded in Uttarkashi After Snowfall, Five Evacuated by Helicopter

At least 136 trekkers, mountaineers and support staff remained stranded at high-altitude locations in Uttarkashi district following snowfall in the upper Himalayan areas, officials said. Five people stranded at the Auden’s Col Pass base camp were evacuated by helicopter on Monday. Rescue and relief teams have been activated at various trekking routes and base camps, with further evacuation efforts dependent on weather conditions.

Of the 136 people currently present in the district’s high-altitude areas, 89 are part of high-altitude expeditions, while 18 are staying at the Kalindi Pass base camp and 29 are at the Auden’s Col Pass base camp under the high-altitude trekking category. Officials said efforts were underway to evacuate the remaining people whenever weather conditions allow helicopter operations and other rescue measures.

District Magistrate Prashant Arya held a meeting with officials from various departments and agencies involved in disaster management on Sunday and directed them to make necessary arrangements for the safety of people at trekking routes and base camps. The administration has also directed officials to ensure adequate supplies of ration, packed food and drinking water for trekkers and mountaineers stranded in the affected areas.

Also Read: Trump Rejects Iran Ceasefire Proposal: Why US-Iran Talks Have Stalled Over Hormuz and Sanctions

The health department has been kept on alert, with medical teams, essential medicines and ambulances to be stationed at nearby locations for immediate medical assistance if required. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, police, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and forest department have also been placed on alert to support rescue and relief operations.

The district emergency operations centre is maintaining regular contact with expedition guides through satellite communication, officials said. The system is being used to monitor the condition of people on trekking routes and at base camps, where snowfall and difficult terrain have affected movement. Authorities are coordinating with guides and rescue agencies to assess the situation and determine when further evacuations can be carried out safely.

Officials said rescue and relief teams would continue efforts to move stranded trekkers and mountaineers to safer locations as weather conditions improve. Until evacuation is possible, authorities are focusing on maintaining communication with the affected groups and ensuring access to food, drinking water and medical assistance. The situation at the high-altitude locations remains under continuous monitoring.

Also Read: Odia Tattoo Solves 35-Year Mystery as Pramila Speaks to Her Family in Odisha