After a grueling 80-hour operation, rescue teams successfully rescued two stranded mountaineers from Chaukhamba Peak in the Chamoli district on Sunday. The joint rescue mission involved the Indian Air Force, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, and local administration.
Alert and Coordination
On Thursday evening, the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) alert the Chamoli Disaster Management Department that two climbers a US national and a UK national stranded at an altitude of 6,015 meters. In response, relevant agencies mobilized immediately to coordinate a rescue mission.
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On Friday, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, along with Chamoli’s Disaster Management Department, worked closely with the Indian Air Force and SDRF to strategize the operation.
Challenges Faced
Despite facing numerous challenges during the rescue, officials committed to continuous efforts to ensure the safe evacuation of the climbers. Their perseverance further paid off when both mountaineers successfully rescue on Sunday.
Community Relief
Relief swept through the district administration, SDRF, NDRF, and the Uttarakhand government as the operation concluded successfully. The Indian Mountaineering Association gave the two foreign climbers permission to embark on a trekking expedition to Chaukhamba-Three, a peak that rises to 6,995 meters and is considered highly challenging. They started their expedition on September 11 and aimed to conclude it on October 18.
Final Stages of the Rescue
On October 3, while ascending the snow-covered Chaukhamba Peak, the climbers became stranded. After contacting their respective embassies via a pager, the Chamoli district administration requested the Indian Air Force to initiate a search and rescue operation.
On Friday morning, authorities dispatched two Chetak helicopters from the Sarangpur airbase to the area near Badrinath, marking the start of an extensive search that ultimately led to the successful rescue of the climbers.
