In a daring rescue operation spanning several days, two foreign women mountaineers, Michelle Theresa Dvorak from the United States and Fay Jane Manners from the United Kingdom, were successfully rescued from the treacherous slopes of Chaukhamba III peak in Uttarakhand. The experienced climbers had become stranded at a dizzying height of 6,015 meters on October 3rd, their progress halted by equipment failure.
The rescue effort, a collaborative endeavor involving the Indian Air Force (IAF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the State Disaster Management Authority, commenced on Friday with the deployment of two IAF helicopters to locate the stranded mountaineers. However, fog and adverse weather conditions hampered the initial search. On Saturday, climbing-trained SDRF personnel joined the operation to provide additional expertise and support.
The urgency of the situation intensified on October 4th, prompting the Chamoli District Magistrate, Sandeep Tiwari, to request the assistance of the SDRF after IAF helicopters were unable to locate the women. The mountaineers, part of a foreign expedition organized by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, had faced a setback when their logistical and technical equipment fell during their ascent towards Chaukhamba III, which stands at an elevation of 6,995 meters.
The district magistrate’s urgent plea for helicopter rescue reached the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) of the Indian Defence Ministry at 11 pm on Thursday. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority worked tirelessly alongside the IAF to ensure the success of the rescue mission.
Finally, on Sunday morning, the tireless efforts of the rescue teams paid off, as Dvorak and Manners were safely transported to the Jyotirmath (Joshimath) helipad by IAF and SDRF personnel. The successful evacuation marks a testament to the determination and skill of the rescue teams, who braved challenging conditions to bring the stranded mountaineers home.
