Mussoorie: A 48-year-old tourist from Haryana went missing in Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers, with forest officials, police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams conducting an intense search operation for the second consecutive day on Thursday.
Authorities said Gabbar Singh, a resident of Faridabad in Haryana, failed to return from a flight on Tuesday evening, prompting them to launch a massive search and rescue operation.
“Search teams are continuously combing the area. We also deployed two drones on Wednesday to survey difficult and inaccessible stretches in the valley. Despite intense efforts throughout Wednesday and Thursday, no trace of the missing tourist has been found so far,” Nanda Devi National Park Forest Officer Abhimanyu said.
DFO said teams have searched all possible locations where the traveler could have gone and the operation will continue until he is located.
Officials said preliminary investigations with the family members revealed that Singh was not living in the house for the past two years and was leading the life of a Sikh nihang. It was also found that the mobile phone number he provided at the Wadi Al-Zuhur entry gate was incorrect, making it difficult for the authorities to contact him or trace his movements.
Forest District Officer (FRO) of Nanda Devi National Park, Chetna Kandpal, said authorities are also exploring the possibility that the tourist may have exited the park via a different route.
“Singh entered the Valley of Flowers alone. We are checking whether he left the park from another exit point. The joint teams are trying their best to locate him,” Kandpal said.
Kandbal said that the deteriorating weather conditions in the high-altitude area pose challenges to the search operation. However, rescue teams continue to navigate the difficult mountainous terrain and explore all possible leads to ascertain the whereabouts of the tourist.
Meanwhile, Chamoli Police has issued an advisory to hikers and adventure enthusiasts visiting the area. The advisory urges visitors to share their travel itineraries and contact details with local police before embarking on excursions.
Police advised hikers to hire local guides, carry a first aid kit, dress appropriately according to the weather conditions, and keep adequate supplies of food and water. Visitors were also asked to carry torches along with spare batteries, fully charged mobile phones and power banks.
The advice also stresses the importance of staying on designated trekking routes, avoiding shortcuts, traveling in groups and refraining from attempting difficult routes without sufficient experience, preparation or assistance from trained guides. Officials said adherence to safety guidelines is essential to prevent mishaps in the region’s unpredictable and rugged terrain.
