Noida trekker goes missing on Uttarakhand's Pindari Glacier route; SDRF launches search

DEHRADUN: A search and rescue operation is underway on Uttarakhand's Pindari Glacier trekking route to locate a trekker from Noida who went missing while returning from the trail in Bageshwar district, officials said on Sunday.The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched the operation after receiving information from Kapkot police about the disappearance of Vishesh Chauhan on the night of May 29.According to officials, Chauhan had set out for the Pindari Glacier trek with a local porter. During the return journey, he reportedly got separated from the porter and failed to reach the designated base point within the expected time, triggering concern and prompting authorities to seek SDRF assistance.An SDRF team led by Head Constable Teeka Singh Karki, along with local police personnel, was immediately dispatched to the area to begin search efforts.During the operation, rescuers descended nearly 60 to 70 metres using rope rescue equipment at a location identified by the guide as a possible point where Chauhan may have gone missing.Although the trekker has not yet been found, the search team recovered his camera from the site, providing a crucial lead in the investigation. Following the discovery, rescue personnel expanded the search across the banks of the Pinder River and nearby forested areas.The operation was briefly suspended on Saturday due to heavy rainfall and poor weather conditions, which hampered visibility and posed risks to rescuers.Search efforts resumed on Sunday after weather conditions improved slightly. Officials said teams continue to comb the rugged terrain in an effort to trace the missing trekker.(With PTI inputs)