Uttarkashi: Amid adverse weather conditions in Uttarakhand during monsoon, a woman trekker from Ghaziabad was swept away after she slipped while crossing an overflowing rivulet named Gakigad on the Jhala to Awana Bugyal trek in Harsil valley of Uttarkashi. This trekker had gone trekking with her five companions and three guides.
Forest Department, SDRF and NDRF have left for the spot
This unfortunate incident took place when six trekkers and three guides left for trekking on the Awana Bugyal track from Jhala of Harshil Valley on Sunday. On Monday evening at around four o’clock, Divya Nagar (26) resident of Ghaziabad, who was part of this trekking group, was crossing Gakigad. During this, Divya’s foot slipped and she was swept away. On receiving the information of the accident, teams of Revenue, Forest Department, SDRF and NDRF have left for the spot.
Forest department has refused to give permission for trekking expeditions
Uttarkashi district disaster management officer Devendra Patwal stated that the forest department had denied permission to the trekking group due to heavy rains, which posed a significant risk. He mentioned that a call from Dehradun reported the accident, and this initial information is being investigated and confirmed by the forest department. Upon receiving the report, the Revenue Sub Inspector Jhala, SDRF Bhatwadi, Police, and Forest Department teams were notified about the incident.
No trekking and mountaineering agency took this expedition
The Awana Bugyal trek starts from the village Jhala in Uttarkashi which is just 5km away from Harsil and this meadow is about 14km from Jhala. Meanwhile, Jayendra Rana, President of Garhwal Himalayan Trekking Association, informed that no trekking and mountaineering agency or company associated with trekking activities has gone on this trek. Notably, many trekkers have lost their lives during Himalayan expeditions in last few years. In the month of June, nine trekkers have died of hypothermia lacking essential commodities required for trekking.