Stories
Search Launched for Five Trekkers Missing in Himachal Pradesh
- •Five trekkers went missing while attempting to cross the Dhauladhar mountain range toward the remote region of Bada Bhangal.
- •The group started their journey from Bir on October 5 and was scheduled to reach Bharmour on Wednesday before failing to arrive.
- •Adverse weather conditions, including heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of the Dhauladhar range, are severely hampering the search operation.
- •Local authorities reported that the trekkers did not inform the administration of their travel plans before setting out.
- •Unreliable communication links and non-functioning satellite phones in the high-altitude zone are limiting contact efforts.
Key Questions Answered
A search operation was launched after five trekkers—Ankur Malani, Satyam Sabu, Pawan, Shyam R, and Tarun Rathi—failed to arrive in Bharmour as scheduled after starting their journey from Bir on October 5. A woman expecting to receive them raised the alarm after losing contact with the group.
The search and rescue efforts involve close coordination between the Bharmour and Baijnath administrations. Baijnath Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sankalp Gautam confirmed that teams have been mobilised to trace the missing trekkers.
The search operation is being severely hampered by heavy snowfall and reduced visibility in the higher reaches of the Dhauladhar range and Thamsar Pass over the previous two days. Additionally, unreliable communication links, including non-functioning satellite phones, have limited the administration's ability to contact the high-altitude zone.
