The Dokrani Bamak glacier in Uttarakhand was hit by a major avalanche on Tuesday which resulted into killing of at least 10 Nehru Institute of Mountaineering trainees.
A rescue operation is being carried out to rescue a number of more mountaineers who were in a group of 28 but are still trapped. Of these, eight have been saved.
“Search and rescue operations have been launched to evacuate others who are still stranded in the crevasses,” said officials.
In addition to the State Disaster Response Force, the Indian Air Force has also been called upon to assist in the evacuation of the injured.
Authorities at the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) said that the avalanche occurred at Draupadi-ka-Danda at an elevation of around 5,300 metres, while the glacier’s snout is situated at a height of about 3700 metres.
According to Piyoosh Rautela, executive director of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, “fresh snow, large crevasses, and accessibility is a major obstacle since one has to hike for almost two days from Bhatwari through Tela and Jungle Chatti, to reach the location.”
The Chenab Times News Desk