HIMALAYAN AVALANCHE TURNS KEDARTAL EXPEDITION INTO TRAGEDY AS TWO BODIES ARE RECOVERED

November 3, 2026

Rescue teams in Uttarakhand recovered the bodies of a woman and a man on Tuesday after five days of search operations for eight people missing following an avalanche along the Kedartal trekking route in Uttarkashi district. The recovery was carried out by a joint team of the Uttarakhand Police's State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), which has been operating in the difficult high-altitude terrain.

The rescue operation resumed in the morning after weather conditions improved slightly. However, heavy snowfall, snow blizzards and multiple avalanche-hit stretches have continued to obstruct the teams. The operation is being conducted at an altitude of approximately 4,000 metres, forcing rescuers to rely on helicopter support as trekking through the affected route remains extremely hazardous. An alternative helipad has also been constructed to facilitate further rescue efforts.

The missing group was part of a 13-member expedition comprising seven trekkers and six support personnel who departed from Gangotri on October 27 and were expected to return on October 29. Adverse weather conditions and snowfall blocked their route. Four members were subsequently found safe, while eight people remained stranded beyond Bhojkhadak following the avalanche.

Authorities have confirmed that the search operation will continue on Wednesday, with additional SDRF personnel expected to reinforce the existing rescue teams. Meanwhile, the Gangotri National Park administration and Uttarkashi Forest Division have suspended the issuance of permits for treks at altitudes above 4,000 metres until weather conditions improve. Movement along the Gaumukh-Tapovan route has also been prohibited because of substantial snow accumulation.

The recovery of the two bodies marks a tragic development in the continuing rescue operation, as teams race against severe Himalayan weather conditions to locate the six remaining missing individuals.