Dehradun – The survivors of a tragic trekking incident in Uttarakhand faced a harrowing ordeal, enduring extreme weather conditions and clinging to life amidst devastation. Struggling with the aftermath, they spent nearly 36 hours alongside the lifeless bodies of their nine companions. S Srivatsa, Secretary of the Karnataka Mountaineering Association (KMA), recounted the survivors’ distressing experience at Dehradun hospital, where they received medical attention.
Caught in a blizzard with ferocious winds that scattered their gear and reduced visibility to zero, the trekkers sought refuge near a large boulder. Exhaustion, hypothermia, and oxygen deprivation took their toll, leading to the collapse of four members initially, followed by five others. Unable to move or access their provisions due to the severe weather, the group faced an increasingly dire situation.
“They said they were unable to move, caught in the blizzard, and became exhausted. They were carrying food but could not eat because they were unable to open the tiffin boxes amid strong winds,” Srivatsa told PTI.
A timely intervention from guides and fellow mountaineers from a lower camp, who provided additional tents, sleeping bags, and warm water, ultimately saved the remaining survivors. “With that help, the (rest of them) survived. Otherwise, they would have also collapsed,” Srivatsa added.
Among the victims was 71-year-old Asha Sudhakar, a seasoned KMA member known for her adventurous spirit. Despite her experience and past treks with her husband, S Sudhakar, who led the current trek and survived, she succumbed to the harsh conditions. “Age was not an issue at all. Asha was an experienced mountaineer and trekker. This team was a combination of mountaineers and trekkers. They were all experienced. Caught in the inclement weather, she unfortunately lost her life but her husband survived,” Srivatsa said.
The group, comprising physically fit and experienced trekkers aged 34 to 71, faced a tragedy caused solely by adverse weather conditions. “It was not very tough terrain also. The terrain was very accessible to any common person,” Srivatsa noted.
Srivatsa rushed to Dehradun upon hearing of the incident. “I know each one of them personally. They all are KMA members and I have trekked a lot with them in the past but during this trek, I was in Nepal,” he shared.
He described the scene at the hospital: “They were in complete shock, shattered and depressed. Some of them were sitting with the bodies of their team members for nearly 36 hours. It was depressing.”
The incident occurred on June 3, when the group took shelter at a large boulder due to bad weather. Severe cold and inclement weather led to hypothermia, causing four members to collapse overnight. On June 4, some trekkers, along with a guide, descended to seek help. “After the guide reached the nearest signal point, he called me on the evening of June 4, and with the help of the Secretary of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, we organised logistics for rescue on June 5,” Srivatsa explained.
All nine bodies have been recovered and handed over to their families for final rites. The victims included Asha Sudhakar (71), Sindhu Wakelam (44), Sujata Mungurwadi (52) and her husband Vinayak Mungurwadi (52), Chitra Praneeth (48), Venkatesh Prasad (53), Padmanabha (50), Anitha Rangappa (55), and Padmini (34), all residents of Bengaluru.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. A state government statement confirmed that Dhami closely monitored the rescue operation to locate and aid the trekkers.
