Rescue teams in Uttarakhand resumed their search for eight missing people, including seven trekkers, along the Kedartal trekking route in Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The operation restarted after weather conditions improved, allowing rescue personnel to return to the snow-covered Himalayan terrain. Heavy snowfall, blocked routes and an avalanche had earlier disrupted efforts to reach the stranded group.
According to the Uttarkashi district disaster management office, rescue teams resumed operations early Tuesday morning. Officials received confirmation at approximately 7:30 am that personnel had restarted their search.
Members of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) are participating in the rescue operation. The teams face difficult conditions as they move through high-altitude areas affected by snowfall and unstable weather.
Kedartal Rescue Operation Faces Snowfall and Blocked Routes
The incident began when a group of 13 people, comprising seven trekkers and six support staff, departed from Gangotri on October 27 for the Kedartal trek. The group was expected to return on October 29, but worsening weather, heavy snowfall and glaciers blocking the route prevented their return.
On October 30, the trekking agency sent a team of guides and porters to assist the stranded group. The team reportedly cleared approximately six kilometres of the affected route to improve access for rescue personnel.
The District Emergency Operations Centre later reported that four people had been found safe, while eight remained stranded beyond Bhojkhadak following an avalanche. Officials have not clarified the status of the remaining person from the original 13-member group.
As the situation developed, additional rescue personnel were mobilised. A 10-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team departed Uttarkashi for Gangotri on October 31 to support the ongoing search.
Separate rescue teams, including two Forest Department personnel, seven members of the trekking agency and six SDRF personnel, were also deployed towards Kedartal.
On November 1, an SDRF team reached the Kedartal area to assess conditions. However, continued snowfall and unfavourable weather affected further rescue efforts.
On Monday evening, the SDRF reported finding a tent and other belongings at an altitude of approximately 4,000 metres. Authorities have not confirmed whether the discovered items belong to the missing individuals.
Uttarkashi Search Continues as High-Altitude Trek Permits Remain Suspended
Following the incident, the Uttarkashi Forest Division suspended permits for trekking routes located at altitudes of 4,000 metres and above because of unsafe weather conditions.
Divisional Forest Officer Jeevan Mohan Dagade told news agency PTI that permits would be issued again only after weather conditions improved.
The temporary restrictions affect high-altitude trekking routes, including Lamkhaga Pass and Trikhanta, and will remain in place until further orders.
Officials are concerned about the risks posed by snowfall, avalanches and blocked mountain routes, which can make both trekking and rescue operations extremely difficult.
With weather conditions improving on Tuesday, rescue personnel resumed their efforts to locate the eight missing people. However, the difficult terrain and possibility of further weather changes continue to pose challenges.
As of the latest reported update on November 3, authorities had not confirmed the recovery of the eight missing individuals.
The Kedartal incident has brought renewed attention to the dangers of high-altitude Himalayan trekking during periods of unpredictable weather. Rescue teams remain focused on locating the missing group members while authorities continue to restrict access to vulnerable trekking routes.
