One missing, four rescued after glacier chunk breaks away on Hemkund route

Monday, 05 June 2023 | PNS | JOSHIMATH

One person is missing while four were safely rescued after a chunk of glacier broke away on the bridle path to Hemkund Sahib in Chamoli district on Sunday. According to official sources, the piece of glacier which broke away was 100 feet in length and 25 feet in width. The incident is reported to have taken place at about 6 PM at the 13 kilometre mark on the Ghangharia-Hemkund route.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel reached the site on being informed about the incident. They were able to safely rescue four persons stuck in the debris of the glacier. According to sources, the incident occurred near Atalakudi when a group of pilgrims was returning to Ghangharia from Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. A large chunk of a glacier broke away and landed on the route.

Following the incident, four persons were rescued while one person was missing till the time of this report being filed. Sources state that a helicopter was also sent to assist in the rescue and relief operation but was unable to land due to heavy snow on the ground. The missing pilgrim is reported to be a woman. Efforts were underway to trace her till the time of this report being filed.