CM Dhami Monitors Kalindi Pass Rescue; 19 Airlifted to Harsil
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami confirms a war-footing rescue operation at the high-altitude Kalindi Pass in Uttarkashi, with 19 trekkers and porters safely airlifted to Harsil helipad as of 29 September 2026. The CM is personally monitoring the ongoing mission.
Key Takeaways
19 trekkers and porters have been safely evacuated to the Harsil helipad in Uttarkashi as of 29 September 2026.
The rescue operation is centred on the Kalindi Pass region in Uttarkashi district , a high-altitude corridor near the Gangotri glacier.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is personally and continuously monitoring the entire rescue mission.
Officials have been directed to provide all possible assistance and ensure zero negligence in rescue execution.
The operation is described as ongoing, indicating further evacuations may still be underway.
A high-altitude rescue operation is underway in the Kalindi Pass region of Uttarkashi district after trekkers and porters were stranded in the treacherous Himalayan terrain — and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is personally tracking every step of the evacuation in real time, he confirmed on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
Posting on X, CM Dhami announced that 19 trekkers and porters have so far been safely airlifted and brought to the Harsil helipad in Uttarkashi. 'युद्धस्तर पर रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन जारी है' — 'a war-footing rescue operation is underway' — he wrote, underscoring the urgency the state administration has attached to the mission. He added that he has directed officials to ensure all possible assistance is provided and that 'no negligence of any kind is tolerated' in the rescue effort.
Kalindi Pass: Where the Himalayas Punish the Unprepared
Kalindi Pass, perched at extreme altitude in Uttarkashi's Gangotri glacier corridor, is among the most demanding high-altitude crossings in the Garhwal Himalayas. The route draws seasoned trekkers from across the country and abroad, but it is notoriously vulnerable to sudden weather deterioration — a snowstorm or whiteout can strand a group within hours. Uttarkashi district has seen multiple such stranding incidents across successive trekking seasons, each one testing the capacity of the state's disaster response machinery.
The Harsil helipad, the staging point for this evacuation, serves as the critical gateway for helicopter sorties into the high passes of this region. Its role in mountain rescues is well established — ground teams and air assets coordinate from here to comb the high terrain and ferry out those in distress.
Dhami's Direct Watch on the Operation
The Chief Minister's decision to personally monitor the mission — rather than delegate updates to district officials — signals both the scale of the operation and the political weight attached to it. Successive Uttarakhand governments have faced scrutiny over disaster preparedness in Himalayan trekking zones, making real-time executive oversight both an administrative and a public-confidence move.
CM Dhami's instruction against 'any negligence' in rescue work comes with all 19 confirmed evacuees now safe at Harsil. The operation, however, is still described as ongoing, indicating that more individuals may remain in the stranded group.
With the post-monsoon trekking window now open and teams still in the field, the next few hours will determine whether every person on that mountain comes home safe.
Point of View
Swift, publicly-communicated rescues also serve to reassure the adventure-travel ecosystem that the state can be trusted as a destination. The fact that the CM chose to post directly on X — with three images — rather than issue a press statement suggests a deliberate real-time transparency strategy.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Kalindi Pass in Uttarkashi?
Trekkers and porters were stranded in the high-altitude Kalindi Pass region of Uttarkashi district, prompting a war-footing rescue operation that has so far airlifted 19 people to safety at Harsil helipad as of 29 September 2026.
How many trekkers were rescued at Kalindi Pass?
As of CM Dhami's update on 29 September 2026, 19 trekkers and porters have been safely brought to the Harsil helipad. The rescue operation is still ongoing.
Where is Kalindi Pass located?
Kalindi Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, situated in the Garhwal Himalayas near the Gangotri glacier corridor and popular with experienced trekkers.
What is the Harsil helipad used for?
The Harsil helipad in Uttarkashi district serves as a key staging and landing point for helicopter-based mountain rescue operations in the high Himalayan passes of the Gangotri region.
Is CM Dhami personally overseeing the Uttarkashi rescue?
Yes, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has stated he is continuously monitoring the entire rescue operation himself and has directed officials to provide all possible assistance without any negligence.
