Two Dead and Six Missing After Avalanche Hits Uttarakhand Trekking Route

Rescue teams in Uttarakhand recovered the bodies of a man and a woman on Tuesday during the search for eight people missing after an avalanche struck the Kedartal trekking route in Uttarkashi district.

Search and Rescue

The identities of the two deceased individuals are not yet known. The missing group consists of seven trekkers and six support staff who left Gangotri on October 27 and were expected back by October 29. Bad weather, glaciers, and heavy snowfall disrupted their journey, and eight people remained stranded beyond Bhojkhadak after an avalanche on October 30. A joint team of the State Disaster Response Force, the National Disaster Response Force, and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is carrying out the search at an altitude of about 4,000 metres. Snow blizzards and tough terrain slowed down the fifth day of operations, forcing rescue personnel to return to the base camp at 3 p.m. before a planned resume on Wednesday.

Route Closures

Following the heavy snowfall that began on October 29, the Gangotri National Park and the Uttarkashi Forest Division suspended trekking permits for all routes at altitudes of 4,000 metres and above. Authorities have also closed the Gaumukh-Tapovan route and stopped issuing new permits for the Kedartal, Kalindi Khal, and Udankol routes.

Context

High-altitude trekking in the Himalayas often carries severe weather risks, particularly during sudden snowstorms and avalanches that can cut off remote mountain trails. Rescue operations in these regions frequently face major delays due to freezing temperatures, rugged terrain, and limited visibility. Authorities routinely restrict permits during extreme weather to prevent further casualties among climbers and support staff.