Monday, 07 OCTOBER 2024 | PNS | JYOTIRMATH
Two foreign nationals stranded while climbing Chaukhamba III peak in Chamoli district were safely rescued by the authorities on Sunday. A woman from the USA and another from UK were lost during mountaineering on October 3. Rescue efforts to trace them were on since the day they were reported to be lost. Indian Air Force helicopters were also used in the efforts to trace them. After three days of extensive search, both the mountaineers were rescued by IAF choppers from Chaukhamba peak III located at an altitude of 18,500 feet.
According to officials, Fay Manners from the UK and Michelle Devcak from the USA got stranded while climbing Chaukhamba III. They stated after being rescued that a rope breaking during the climb put them in a difficult situation.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the initial phases after the climbers were reported missing, the authorities searched for them by helicopter. However, considering the challenges in such a remote and high altitude area, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) sent a four-member team to the advance base camp located at an altitude of 4,900 metres. The SDRF team was dropped by helicopter and on Sunday morning the team members trekked and conducted the search operation in the area.
SDRF inspector general Ridhim Agrawal said, “The SDRF team worked in very difficult conditions to execute the rescue operation. In the face of less oxygen and tough routes in such a location, the team undertook the search operation. Rescuing lost trekkers safely is our top priority and we undertake all possible efforts for this purpose,” she said.
A team of the Indian army, conducting a search and rescue operation parallely with the SDRF conducted an aerial recce of the trek. The aerial recce enabled the teams to spot the two women who were airlifted and taken to Jyotirmath. The SDRF commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi that the force’s rescue team which was conducted the search operation ahead of the base camp was also transported by helicopter to Jyotirmath.
