5 Bengaluru doctors rescued after snowfall strands trekking group in Uttarkashi

Dehradun: Five doctors from Bengaluru were rescued from Kalindi Base Camp in Uttarkashi after heavy snowfall stranded their trekking group at high altitude for nearly three days.

The group, accompanied by 12 porters, began its expedition from Gangotri on September 18 and reached the Kalindi Base Camp on September 25. However, persistent snowfall then forced them to halt their journey towards Badrinath.

Snow accumulated to around 5-6 feet around the tents, prompting the trekkers to take turns clearing it to prevent the shelters from collapsing. They also used LPG cylinders to melt snow for drinking water while waiting for the weather to improve.

“Light clouds had started gathering in the evening, and snowfall began around 2 am. We initially hoped it would stop, but it continued,” one of the doctors told TOI.

The team used a satellite communication device to alert the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and district authorities. Rescue efforts were delayed because of the poor weather.

“We were supposed to reach Badrinath on September 28, but the snowfall, which began early on September 25, forced us to stop the trek. The snowfall continued for the next 60 to 70 hours,” another doctor told The Hindu.

After conditions improved on September 28, a helicopter reached the camp and evacuated the doctors and their support staff to Harsil. The rescue operation involved the Indian Army, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Uttarakhand Police and SDRF.

The doctors were safe, although their trekking equipment remained at the camp. Other trekkers stranded on routes including Auden’s Col were also being evacuated as the weather improved.

According to a TOI report, at Auden's Col, another stranded expedition team had to prepare its own landing area before it could be evacuated. Team leader Jitendra Singh Rana said the group had left Gangotri on Sept 22 and reached Nala Camp on Sept 23, Rudra Gaira on Sept 24 and Base Camp on Sept 25. It was planned to move ahead at 2 am on Sept 26, but snowfall forced it to abandon the attempt.