Two more bodies recovered from trekking route in Uttarakhand

Two more bodies were recovered on Thursday (November 5, 2026) from the avalanche-hit Kedartal trekking route in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, taking the death toll to six.

While the rescue teams continued the search for the two other missing trekkers, families waiting for news began to lose hope.

According to the district administration, the two bodies recovered on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) were identified as Rintu Mondol, 40, and Uday Ghosh, 30, both residents of Bankura, West Bengal. Six bodies, including the two from today, have been recovered for the site so far.

Eight people from an expedition of 13 went missing after heavy snowfall and multiple avalanches cut off the route. Among the people who went missing were seven trekkers —Tapas Bauri, Ratan Ghosh, Mr. Mondal, Mr. Ghosh, Manoj Khawas, all from West Bengal; Vartika and Deepika Verma, sisters from lucknow — and local guide Siddharth Rana.

The group had left Gangotri on October 27 for a three-day trek and was due to return on October 29. Four support staff were rescued on October 31 near Kachchi Dhang.

A 10-member mountain rescue team was airlifted to the area on November 2, but fresh snowfall briefly halted the operations.

Painful wait

For the families waiting in Uttarkashi and West Bengal for news about the missing persons, the recovery of six bodies has brought devastating news.

Vishwajeet, nephew of Mr. Bauri, who is among the missing trekkers, said his family was gradually coming to terms with the possibility that he might not return.

“I don’t think I will get to see my uncle alive,” he said, adding that Mr. Bauri, who used to work at an iron goods manufacturing factory, had saved money for the trekking expedition.