Around four trekkers from Karnataka lost their lives in Uttarakhand due to extreme weather conditions, a senior government officer reported on Wednesday. According to Rashmi Mahesh, Principal Secretary in the Revenue Department, a group of 19 people went for a trek of which four succumbed to the harsh weather while rescue operations are underway to save the others trapped at Sahasratal in Uttarakhand.
The Sahastratal alpine lake is situated at an altitude of 4,100-4,400 metres in the upper Himalayan region. The trekkers from Karnataka and Maharashtra were expected to return on June 7. However, it is believed that the trekkers lost their way while reaching the last base camp of Sahastratal.
"The identity of those who died in the tragedy is not yet known," Mahesh told PTI. She also stated that the District Magistrate of Garhwal is overseeing the rescue efforts. Additionally, Mahesh mentioned that a helicopter from the Indian Air Force has been deployed to aid in the rescue operations.
Officials have also deployed an ambulance, a police team, and a team from the Public Works Department.
"Yesterday around 4:30 PM, the trekking association informed the disaster management (department) that some people died due to bad weather. Upon receiving the information, the forest department and SDRF swung into action and a team was sent to the location. SDRF team and an IAF helicopter team are preparing for rescue operation," said SP Uttarkashi Arpan Yaduvanshi.
It has been learned that the trekking expedition was organized by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.