9 Trekkers From Bengaluru Die In Uttrakhand, Choppers Roped In For Rescue Ops

At least nine trekkers from Karnataka's Bengaluru died due to adverse weather conditions near the Sahastra Tal in Uttarakhand, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

A rescue operation was launched by the Indian Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities to locate a 22-member trekking team that had lost its way due to bad weather in the upper Himalayas.
The trekking team, led by Himalayan View Trekking Agency, Maneri, was on a 35-km long trek to Sahastra Tal, a high-altitude lake located at an altitude of around 4,600 meters. The team was scheduled to return by June 7, but the bad weather caused them to lose their way while trekking down from the lake.

The rescue operation was launched after receiving information about the stranded trekkers. Two Chetak helicopters of the Indian Air Force and a private chopper were deployed to rescue the stranded trekkers. The SDRF also dispatched two teams from Dehradun and Uttarkashi to assist in the rescue.

Meanwhile, 13 trekkers were rescued, including 8 who were airlifted to Dehradun. Unfortunately, 9 trekkers lost their lives due to the bad weather. The deceased trekkers have been identified as residents of Bengaluru in Karnataka.

The rescue operation was suspended temporarily due to bad weather, but officials plan to retrieve the remaining 4 bodies tomorrow. The office of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared on X that he was in regular touch with senior officials for the rescue operation.