World · India Bureau
Uttarakhand avalanche death toll climbs to six as search concludes
Recovery operations in Uttarkashi have concluded with the discovery of two additional bodies on the Kedartal trekking route, bringing fatalities from an October 29 avalanche to six.
LSN India ·
Two more bodies were recovered from the Kedartal trek in Uttarkashi district on Thursday, raising the confirmed death toll from last month's avalanche to six, officials said.
The remains were located along the popular trekking route, which traverses challenging alpine terrain in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The avalanche occurred on October 29, sweeping through the area and claiming multiple lives.
Recovery and search operations, which had been ongoing since the incident, concluded with Thursday's discovery. The Kedartal trek, which leads to a glacial lake at approximately 4,400 meters elevation, remains a favored destination for trekkers despite the inherent risks of high-altitude travel in the region.
The incident has renewed focus on avalanche safety and preparedness in Uttarakhand's mountainous zones. Authorities have not issued fresh travel restrictions on the route, though trekkers typically avoid the area during avalanche-prone winter months.
The state has faced multiple natural calamities in recent years, with avalanches, landslides, and flash floods posing recurring hazards to both residents and visitors in the Himalayan region.