Sunday, 06 OCTOBER 2024 | PNS | JYOTIRMATH
Two trekkers from abroad on the trek to Chaukhamba-III have not been traced yet on Saturday, a day after they were reported missing. The authorities conducted an aerial survey by helicopter on Friday to trace them without success. On Saturday, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRC) team reached the advanced base camp to conduct the search operation.
Mount Chaukhamba is situated at 7,974 metres altitude. Two women- Michelle Therasa from the USA and Favgane Manners from the UK were reportedly stranded at 6,015 metres altitude due to rough weather. The authorities tried to rescue them using an army helicopter on October 4 but the operation could not succeed due to the rough weather.
The Chamoli district administration informed the SDRF about the situation. The SDRF inspector general directed the SDRF commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi to act immedeatly. Acting on the directions, Yaduvanshi got the high altitude rescue team transported by helicopter from Dehradun to the site of the incident on Saturday. SDRF IG Ridhim Agrawal said that the high altitude team of the SDRF departed for the site to rescue the two persons reportedly stranded. The team conducted two aerial recces. She said that communication has been established via satellite phone and a four-member team of the SDRF has reached the advanced base camp. This team will start the rescue operation soon.An additional backup team has also reached Jyotirmath. The teams have been directed to ensure safe and swift rescue operation. She further informed that the team has established communication via satellite phone.
