Five trekkers missing on Vasukital trek in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag

Five trekkers have gone missing while on the Vasukital trek in the high Himalayan region of Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, prompting authorities to launch a search operation, officials said on Wednesday.

Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said the District Disaster Management Office was informed about the missing group by the brother of one of the trekkers.

A helicopter was deployed on Tuesday to search for the trekkers but could not locate them, Rajwar said. A team was also sent on foot to search for the group.

The trekkers had started their journey on September 25. The Kedarnath-Vasukital trek generally takes around 10 to 12 days to complete, including the return journey. However, authorities launched the search after contact with the group was lost, the official said.

Uttarakhand received heavy rainfall in lower areas and heavy snowfall in higher reaches on September 26 and 27, following a warning issued by the Meteorological Department.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to remain alert and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel.

Rajwar said the trekking group had not obtained the required permission before setting out. Had they sought permission, the administration would have stopped them from undertaking the trek, he said.

Following the snowfall on September 26 and 27, a total of 67 trekkers stranded on various high-altitude routes, including Kalindi Khal, Auden Kol and Vasukital, were rescued by helicopter, officials said.  (with inputs from PTI)