Avalanche In Uttarakhand: PM Modi Expresses Condolence Over Loss Of Lives

Avalanche At Danda-2 Peak: Devendra Patwal, Uttarkashi Disaster Management Officer stated that the avalanche occurred at 8.45 am.

PM Modi Expresses Condolence Over Loss Of Lives In Uttarakhand Avalanche (Image Source: ANI)

Source : ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the deaths in the Uttarakhand avalanche on Tuesday and stated that the situation is being closely monitored. "It is saddening that we have lost precious lives of those associated with a NIM Uttarkashi mountaineering expedition. Condolences to the bereaved families. Rescue operations are underway and the situation is being closely monitored by the authorities," the Prime Minister Office (PMO) tweeted. 

It is saddening that we have lost precious lives of those associated with a NIM Uttarkashi mountaineering expedition. Condolences to the bereaved families. Rescue operations are underway and the situation is being closely monitored by the authorities: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 4, 2022

Ten mountaineers were killed in an avalanche at Mount Draupadi Ka Danda - II peak in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, officials said. A team of 34 trainee mountaineers and seven instructors from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) was caught in an avalanche while returning, NIM Principal Colonel Amit Bisht said, reports news agency PTI. 

Ten killed in avalanche in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district: Nehru Institute of Mountaineering Principal Amit Bisht

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 4, 2022

Ten bodies were sighted, of which four have been recovered, he added, reports PTI. 

The peak is located in Uttarakhand's Gangotri range of the Garhwal Himalayas. 

The avalanche occurred at 8.45 am, he said. Uttarkashi Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal said eight of those trapped were rescued by their team members.

Uttarakhand SDRF Commandant Manikant Mishra tells ANI that there is continuous heavy snowfall on Draupadi's Danda-2 mountain peak. Despite this, recce efforts are underway through IAF helicopters to rescue NIM mountaineering trainees.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to Twitter and wrote, "The incident of avalanche in Uttarkashi is very sad. I have spoken to the officials in this regard. Local administration, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP and Army teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations with full readiness."

उत्तरकाशी में हुई हिमस्खलन की घटना अत्यंत दुःखद है। इस संबंध में मैंने अधिकारियों से बात की है। स्थानीय प्रशासन, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP व सेना की टीमें पूरी तत्परता से राहत-बचाव कार्यों में जुटी हैं।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 4, 2022

The National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and a team of mountaineers from the NIM have launched rescue operations, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a tweet.

द्रौपदी का डांडा-2 पर्वत चोटी में हिमस्खलन में फंसे प्रशिक्षार्थियों को जल्द से जल्द सकुशल बाहर निकालने के लिए NIM की टीम के साथ जिला प्रशासन, NDRF, SDRF, सेना और ITBP के जवानों द्वारा तेजी से राहत एवं बचाव कार्य चलाया जा रहा है।

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) October 4, 2022

The chief minister also spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the phone and sought the help of the army in expediting rescue operations.

Spoke to CM Uttarakhand, Shri @PushkarDhami and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to help the mountaineers who are still trapped.

I have instructed the IAF to mount the rescue and relief ops. Praying for everyone’s safety and well-being. 2/2

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 4, 2022

Earlier today, news agency ANI reported that eight of the 29 Nehru Mountaineering Institute trainees who were trapped after an avalanche hit Draupadi's Danda-2 mountain peak in Uttarakhand have been rescued.

Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar tells ANI that out of the 29 NIM trainees trapped in an avalanche in Draupadi's Danda-2 mountain peak, 8 trainees have been rescued safely; IAF helicopters deployed for search & rescue

(file photo) pic.twitter.com/1K9Wp0rof7

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 4, 2022

(With Inputs From Agencies)