Dehradun — After returning from Delhi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami walked straight into the State Emergency Operations Centre at IT Park to obtain a real‑time briefing on the rescue drive for trekkers and mountaineers marooned in Uttarakhand’s high‑altitude terrain.

Rescue Situation Overview

Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman briefed the CM that a total of 179 adventurers have been reported missing across several Himalayan circuits. The breakdown is as follows:

  • Uttarkashi: 136 individuals
  • Pindari (Bageshwar district): 43 individuals

In Uttarkashi, rescue teams have already evacuated 40 persons. Another 40 have chosen to continue their trek despite the warning, postponing their extraction until conditions improve.

Helicopter Assets and Medical Support

The operation currently employs eight helicopters, with a dedicated air‑ambulance kept on standby to deliver immediate medical aid if required. The CM instructed officials to deploy these aerial resources without delay whenever the situation calls for it.

Next Steps and Weather‑Dependent Plans

According to the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi, the remaining evacuations will recommence at 06:00 hrs on Monday, subject to weather clearance. The CM emphasized that all necessary logistics, manpower, and equipment must be made available to ensure a smooth continuation of the rescue.

"The safety of every trekker, mountaineer and porter is our utmost priority. No effort should be spared in bringing them back home safely," the Chief Minister reiterated during the call with the district magistrate.

Char Dham Yatra Arrangements Review

In the same meeting, the CM examined the current state of facilities, cleanliness, and safety measures along the Char Dham pilgrimage routes. He called for a permanent solid‑waste management framework at major religious and tourist sites, stressing the need for a long‑term, scalable solution that aligns with the growing influx of pilgrims.

All relevant departments were directed to synchronize their actions, maintain heightened vigilance in vulnerable zones, and guarantee that disaster response mechanisms remain swift and uncompromised.

Present at the briefing were Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup, and senior officials from the Disaster Management Department and allied agencies.