Army, ITBP join Dayara Bugyal search for missing woman trekker in Uttarkashi
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The search operation for a woman trekker who went missing on the Dayara Bugyal trekking route in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, has been significantly intensified, with the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) now being roped in to bolster the multi-agency effort, officials said on Monday, 2 June. Round-the-clock search operations are underway across challenging mountainous terrain as authorities race against time to locate the trekker.
District Magistrate Reviews Operation
District Magistrate Prashant Arya reviewed the ongoing rescue efforts from the Disaster Smart Control Room and directed officials to deploy all available resources without delay. During the briefing, he received a detailed account of the search progress, team deployments, personnel positioning, and the geographical hurdles being encountered in the region.
Arya stressed that coordination across departments was non-negotiable. 'Every available resource must be utilised in a coordinated manner,' he said, directing officials to 'leave no stone unturned' in locating the missing woman. He further instructed authorities to maintain constant monitoring through the Control Room and provide regular updates on all developments.
Army and ITBP Deployment Ordered
In a significant escalation of the rescue mission, District Magistrate Arya formally directed officials to seek assistance from the ITBP and the Indian Army. He noted that 'enhanced coordination among multiple agencies would help expand the search operation and improve the chances of locating the trekker in the rugged and densely forested region.' The deployment of these specialised forces is expected to extend the operational reach into terrain that civilian teams have found difficult to access.
Search Teams and Area Covered
On Monday, joint teams comprising the Quick Response Team (QRT), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Forest Department fanned out across the area. Teams spread from the Goi Camp towards the Raithal area, conducting intensive searches across a radius of approximately five kilometres each. Personnel combed dense forest patches, trekking trails, remote pathways, and other locations where the missing woman could potentially be found.
Terrain Challenges Hampering Efforts
Officials acknowledged that the challenging topography and dense vegetation have made the operation considerably difficult. Despite this, search personnel are systematically covering all possible routes to ensure no area goes unchecked. The district administration confirmed that the rescue operation is continuing without interruption, with teams from multiple agencies remaining actively engaged in the field.
This comes amid the peak summer trekking season in Uttarakhand, when popular high-altitude routes like Dayara Bugyal attract large numbers of trekkers, raising the stakes for timely search-and-rescue infrastructure. All eyes are now on whether the Army and ITBP's involvement can help break the operational deadlock in the coming hours.