SDRF rescues man from 30-metre gorge in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Synopsis
An SDRF team descended 30 metres into a gorge near a Rudraprayag petrol pump to pull out an injured man — the second rescue operation in the district within 48 hours. With Kedarnath pilgrimage season in full swing, the back-to-back incidents highlight the mounting pressure on Uttarakhand's emergency services in one of India's most accident-prone mountain corridors.
Key Takeaways
Sukhdev Singh Bhandari of Pauri Garhwal fell nearly 30 metres into a gorge near a petrol pump in Rudraprayag on 16 June .
An SDRF team led by ASI Harish Bangari , deployed from the Ratuda post , carried out the rescue using specialised equipment.
Bhandari received first aid on site and was subsequently hospitalised; his condition is under medical observation.
Just two days earlier , on 14 June , five lost trekkers on the Devariyatal–Baniyakund route were rescued by the DDMA in the same district.
Rudraprayag is a key Kedarnath pilgrimage transit point, with elevated accident risk during the ongoing yatra season.
A man fell nearly 30 metres into a gorge near a petrol pump in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, on Tuesday, 16 June, triggering panic among bystanders before a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team mounted a swift rescue operation and brought him to safety. The injured man has been hospitalised and is currently undergoing treatment.
Who Was Rescued and How
The man has been identified as Sukhdev Singh Bhandari, son of Avtar Singh Bhandari, and a resident of Pabo in Pauri Garhwal district. The SDRF control room received the distress alert on Tuesday morning and immediately mobilised a rescue team from the Ratuda post, led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Harish Bangari, equipped with specialised rescue gear.
Upon reaching the site, personnel found Bhandari lodged approximately 30 metres below ground level with injuries. Despite hazardous terrain, the team descended into the gorge, reached him, and extracted him safely. First aid was administered on the spot before he was handed over to district police, who transported him to a nearby hospital.
The Rescue Operation in Detail
The operation required rescuers to navigate steep and unstable ground under challenging conditions. The SDRF team used standard vertical rescue equipment to descend and secure the injured man before bringing him back to the surface. The entire operation was completed without further casualties, according to reports.
A Region Prone to Such Incidents
This is not an isolated event in the Rudraprayag district. Just two days earlier, on 14 June, five tourists who had lost their way on the Devariyatal–Baniyakund trekking route were rescued by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). A distress call had been received through the 112 emergency service at 6:10 am, after the trekkers found themselves unable to locate a safe route back.
Rudraprayag sits at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers and is one of the five sacred Panch Prayag sites. As a key staging point for pilgrims en route to Kedarnath, the town and its surrounding terrain see heavy foot traffic, particularly during the pilgrimage season — raising the risk of accidents along gorges, trekking paths, and mountain roads.
SDRF's Role in Uttarakhand
The SDRF operates as Uttarakhand's frontline emergency response unit, frequently deployed in the state's rugged Himalayan terrain for rescues involving trekkers, pilgrims, and local residents. The force's rapid mobilisation in this case — from receiving the alert to reaching the site with equipment — reflects the operational readiness that authorities have been building ahead of peak pilgrimage season.
As the Char Dham yatra season continues to draw large numbers of visitors to the region, rescue agencies are likely to remain on heightened alert across Rudraprayag and adjoining districts.
Point of View
High pilgrim footfall, and narrow mountain roads makes it one of Uttarakhand's most accident-prone zones every summer. The SDRF's rapid response deserves credit, but the back-to-back incidents raise a harder question: whether adequate safety infrastructure — barriers, signage, trail marking — exists along the routes that pilgrims and tourists routinely use. Reactive rescue capacity, however efficient, is not a substitute for preventive investment.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was rescued from the gorge in Rudraprayag on 16 June?
The rescued man is Sukhdev Singh Bhandari , a resident of Pabo village in Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. He fell approximately 30 metres into a gorge near a petrol pump in Rudraprayag and was extracted by an SDRF team before being hospitalised.
Which team carried out the Rudraprayag gorge rescue?
The rescue was conducted by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) , with a team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Harish Bangari dispatched from the Ratuda post. The team used specialised vertical rescue equipment to descend into the gorge.
What was the condition of the rescued man after the operation?
Sukhdev Singh Bhandari sustained injuries in the fall and received first aid at the rescue site. He was subsequently handed over to district police and transported to a nearby hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Were there other rescues in Rudraprayag recently?
Yes. On 14 June , five tourists who lost their way on the Devariyatal–Baniyakund trekking route were rescued by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) after a distress call was received via the 112 emergency service at 6:10 am.
Why is Rudraprayag particularly prone to such accidents?
Rudraprayag sits at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers and is a major transit point for pilgrims heading to Kedarnath. Its mountainous terrain, deep gorges, and heavy seasonal foot traffic during the Char Dham yatra make it one of Uttarakhand's higher-risk districts for accidents and rescues.
