All five trekkers from Rajasthan who were feared missing during an expedition across the challenging terrain of Bara Bhangal valley in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district have been located safe and sound. Administrative authorities confirmed that the entire team has reached its designated location unharmed, establishing communication with their families after days of anxiety caused by adverse weather in the higher reaches.
Trekkers Reach Bharmaur and Dhardi Destinations
Baijnath Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sankalp Gautam stated that direct contact was established with the five members, who spent two days stationed in Bara Bhangal before pressing onward to their destination in the Bharmaur area of Chamba district. Further detailing their movement, Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa confirmed that all five trekkers are secure and have arrived at Dhardi. He added that the group has successfully spoken with family members, putting an end to lingering worries.
High-Altitude Snowfall Stalled Thamsar Pass Crossing
According to official details, the group comprised Ankur Malani, Satyam Saboo, Pawan, Shyam R, and Tarun Rathi, aged between 28 and 35 years. The expedition commenced on October 5 when the team departed from Bir toward Rajgundha. Their schedule required them to cross the high-altitude Thamsar Pass on October 6 via Rajgundha and Bara Bhangal. However, severe weather conditions struck the upper mountain ridges on October 6 and October 7, bringing intense snowfall that disrupted foot movement and severed external communication channels.
Search Mobilised Following Late-Night Emergency Alert
Concerns surfaced late Wednesday night when the District Disaster Management Cell received reports indicating that the trekking team had remained untraceable for approximately 12 hours. Search and rescue personnel stationed across the Bir-Billing zone were promptly alerted to coordinate an operation. Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa clarified that the alert was essentially a panic call rather than a genuine entrapment or missing-person crisis. Because the group ran a single day behind schedule in remote terrain lacking mobile connectivity, anxious relatives sought emergency assistance. Authorities emphasized that the trekkers remained in good health throughout and are now back in regular contact.
