PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Uttarkashi
The rescue operation launched to ensure the safe return of trekkers, porters and support staff who had gone on trekking and mountaineering expeditions amid heavy snowfall and adverse weather in the high Himalayan region of Uttarkashi district was successfully completed with the help of helicopters and ground teams on Tuesday, officials claimed.
Officials said that efforts were carried out to bring the members trapped in various high Himalayan areas including Kalindi Pass base, Odin Col base, Satopanth base and Jogin-1 Pass base to safer lower areas. On the first day of the operation, Uttarkashi district magistrate Prashant Arya reached Harshil and monitored the rescue operations. In the evening, the progress of the operation was continuously monitored from the smart control room. On the second day too the district magistrate monitored the rescue operation from the control room and gave necessary directions to the concerned teams. Additional district magistrate Mukta Mishra was also present in Harshil during the entire operation.
Through joint efforts by the district administration, police, SDRF and other related agencies, a total of 67 members were safely rescued. These included 29 from the Odin Col Pass, eight from the Jogin-1 area, eight from the Satopanth area, 19 from the Kalindi Pass area, and three Army porters from the Vasuki Tal area.
According to the district administration, the 18-member SSB team on the Shrikanth expedition has expressed their desire to continue. Furthermore, the 12 members of the Sudarshan Peak expedition, 20 members of the Bhagirathi-2 (Army), 9 members of the Bhagirathi-2 expedition, and the 7 and 5-member teams of the Shivling expedition are returning safely on their own.
Arya said that despite the harsh weather and difficult geographical conditions, all agencies worked with coordination and promptness. He claimed that the rescue operation was completed safely and successfully.
