SRINAGAR: A 28-year-old trekker from Jammu and Kashmir died after being swept away by a sudden surge in a mountain stream while returning from a trekking expedition near Manali. His body was recovered from the banks of the Beas River near Vashisht on Sunday after an overnight search operation.
The deceased, identified as Dhananjay Verma of Udhampur district, was leading a group of 10 trekkers in the Shanag and Majhach areas. According to police, the group had completed the trek and was descending when they attempted to cross the Majhach stream. The water level rose suddenly, and the strong current swept Verma away before fellow trekkers could rescue him.
On receiving information about the incident, the Manali police launched a search operation. Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), based at Solang Nala, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined the operation, which continued through the night.
The search concluded on Sunday morning when Verma’s body was found along the Beas riverbank near Vashisht. His brother, Kanav Verma, who was part of the trekking group, identified the body. The NDRF and SDRF teams later retrieved the body from the riverbank.
Manali Deputy Superintendent of Police KD Sharma confirmed the recovery and said legal formalities had been initiated. The body will be handed over to the family after the post-mortem examination and completion of other legal procedures, he said.
Police said the remaining members of the trekking group were safe.
The tragedy highlights the risks posed by sudden increases in the water level of mountain streams during the monsoon season, when flash surges can occur without warning, making stream crossings particularly hazardous for trekkers.
