9 hikers from Karnataka tragically died in Uttarakhand Tragedy as a result of unfavorable weather close to the Sahastra Tal, a high-altitude trail in the Garhwal region that elevates to 15,000 feet. On their route to Sahastra Tal on Tuesday afternoon, the 22-person hike group which included 3 local guides and 19 members of the Karnataka Mountaineering Association came with severe weather.

The members of the trekking trip became confused by the heavy snowfall and storm conditions. On June 3, the group left the Lambtal campground with the intention of returning that same day. But at about 2:00 pm, a snowstorm hit, cutting off all visibility and limiting mobility. More deaths occurred over the night as the gang gathered together for protection.

Uttarakhand Tragedy
Image Source: himalaya trekkers

The Karnataka and Uttarakhand governments jointly initiated an air-ground search and rescue effort after learning of the event on Wednesday evening. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indian Air Force (IAF), and other government organizations participated in the rescue operations.

The deceased has been named as Asha Sudhakar (71), Padmanabha KP, Venkatesh Prasad K, Anita Rangappa, Padmini Hegde, Sujata Mungurwadi (52), Vinayak Mungurwadi (55), Sindhu Wakelam (44), and Chitra Praneeth (48).

In addition to expressing his sincere condolences for the disaster, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who is in charge of the rescue efforts in Uttarakhand, to make sure that every trekker who is saved makes it back to Karnataka safely. Additionally, Siddaramaiah assured the trekkers rescued in Dehradun over the phone that they would receive every assistance available.

Since its founding in 1966, the Karnataka Mountaineering Association has a long history of planning both domestic and foreign excursions. The organization has been actively participating in the rescue operations, collaborating closely with law enforcement and the Indian Mountaineering Federation.

The Sahastra Tal trek is known for its difficult terrain, and this occurrence serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with trekking at high altitudes. The tragedy serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to plan, be prepared, and take necessary safety precautions on such journeys.

The administrations of Uttarakhand and Karnataka have pooled their resources to return the trekkers' bodies to Karnataka as soon as possible. The IAF is essential to the ongoing rescue efforts as they evacuate the survivors and retrieve the deceased's bodies.

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