World · South & Central Asia · 5 hrs ago
Four trekkers die in Kedartal avalanche as search continues for four
An avalanche on the Kedartal trekking route in Uttarakhand stranded eight trekkers near Kacchi Dhang.
Two sisters from Lucknow, Deepika and Vartika Verma, were among the four people found dead.
The group of 13 left Gangotri on October 27 and was expected back two days later, but snowfall and avalanches blocked the route.
Kedartal is a high-altitude glacial lake, and the 26-kilometre trek from Gangotri includes narrow, rocky sections.
Rescuers are searching for four missing trekkers, all friends from West Bengal, while teams from the State Disaster Response Force and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering clear deep snow by hand.
The sisters’ family has questioned whether the trekking agency checked weather warnings and provided adequate safety arrangements, and called for an investigation.
The search is continuing, with helicopters carrying supplies to rescue teams.
Four trekkers have died after an avalanche on the Kedartal trekking route in Uttarkashi district, and rescuers are searching for four others.
The dead include sisters Deepika Verma, 29, and Vartika Verma, 28, from Lucknow.
The eight stranded trekkers were part of a group of 13 that set out from Gangotri on October 27.
Heavy snowfall and avalanches cut off the route near Kacchi Dhang, while snow up to 10–12 feet deep slowed rescue work.
The sisters’ family questioned the trekking agency’s safety arrangements and called for an investigation.
- Who
- Eight trekkers were stranded; four have died, including sisters Deepika and Vartika Verma from Lucknow. The search continues for four friends from West Bengal.
- What
- An avalanche on the Kedartal trekking route killed four trekkers. Rescue teams are searching for the remaining four.
- When
- The bodies of the sisters were recovered on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The group set out on October 27.
- Where
- Near Kacchi Dhang on the Kedartal trekking route in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand.
- Why
- Heavy snowfall and avalanches cut off the group’s route. The cause of the avalanche is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The group of 13 set out from Gangotri on the Kedartal trek.
The group was expected to return, but snowfall and inclement weather left trekkers stranded.
Atul Verma reached Uttarkashi with relatives while hoping his sisters would be found safe.
Rescuers had recovered four bodies and continued searching for the remaining four trekkers.
- Deaths
- 4 trekkers
- Still missing
- 4 trekkers, friends from West Bengal
- Group size
- 13 people: 7 trekkers and 6 support staff
- Sisters
- Deepika Verma, 29, and Vartika Verma, 28
- Snow depth
- 10–12 feet around the avalanche site
- Trek distance
- 26 km from Gangotri to Kedartal
5 sources
Two sisters among 4 Kedartal victims, search on for 4 others
Kedartal avalanche claims lives of two sisters from Lucknow who shared passion for trekking
Uttarkashi avalanche: Rescue teams recover two more bodies; death toll rises to 4
What people are saying
This is not just a photograph of a trekking group. These are eight human lives, eight families waiting for their loved ones to return
They were well-equipped and experienced
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