Five Trekkers Missing on Vasukital Trek in Rudraprayag
A group of five trekkers has gone missing on the Kedarnath-Vasukital trek in Rudraprayag district after losing contact amid heavy snowfall; helicopter and foot searches are underway.
Current Summary
According to a September 30 Prashant News report citing PTI, the five trekkers who had gone missing on the Kedarnath-Vasukital trek in Rudraprayag district have returned safely. An SDRF message at around 11:50 am on September 30 confirmed the group had reached Gangi village in Tehri district. The trekkers, who had left on September 25 without taking required permission for the high-altitude route, lost contact amid heavy rainfall and snowfall on September 26-27. A helicopter search on September 29 found no trace, prompting a foot search team to also be dispatched. Their safe return came as part of a wider 48-hour multi-agency rescue operation across high-altitude Uttarakhand spanning September 28-30, which brought a total of 67 stranded trekkers, mountaineers and support staff to safety from Auden's Col (29), Kalindi Khal (19), Mount Jogin-I in Uttarkashi, and the Vasuki Tal route (11) in Rudraprayag.
What We Know
- Five trekkers went missing on the Kedarnath-Vasukital trek in Rudraprayag district
- The group left on September 25 for a trek that typically takes 10-12 days
- Contact was lost after heavy snowfall and rain hit the region on September 26-27
- A helicopter search on Tuesday could not locate the team
- A foot search team has also been sent to trace the trekkers
- The trekking group had not taken official permission before departing
- CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to remain vigilant and urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel
- All five missing trekkers reached Gangi village, Tehri district, safely by September 30, per SDRF confirmation.
- Their rescue was part of a broader 48-hour multi-agency operation that evacuated 67 people in total from high-altitude locations including Auden's Col, Kalindi Khal, Mount Jogin-I and the Vasuki Tal route.
What Is Still Unclear
- Identities of the five missing trekkers
- Their last known location or route progress before contact was lost
- Whether weather conditions will allow continued aerial search
Trekkers planning high-altitude routes are urged to obtain official permission before departure and to avoid unnecessary travel during unstable weather.
What Changed
- 1 Oct, 02:30 amAll five trekkers reported missing on the Kedarnath-Vasukital trek have returned safely. Officials said an SDRF message on the morning of September 30 confirmed the group had reached Gangi village in Tehri district. Their safe return followed a search operation launched after contact was lost, and came as part of a broader 48-hour multi-agency rescue effort across high-altitude Uttarakhand that brought a total of 67 stranded trekkers, mountaineers and support staff to safety, including 11 from the Vasuki Tal route itself.
- 30 Sept, 07:50 amSignal detected: Five Trekkers Missing on Vasukital Trek in Rudraprayag