Two trekkers from Dombivli, one from Malad killed in Himachal snowfall

KALYAN: Three trekkers from Maharashtra – a 59-year old from Malad and two senior citizens from Dombivli – were killed in a heavy snowfall in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, while 10 others, aged between 40 and 60, have been rescued. The incident happened on Saturday night.
Fellow trekkers conveyed the news about the trio’s deaths to their family members. The three trekkers are buried under the snow, and ITBP teams are trying to retrieve their bodies.
Of the deceased, Rajendra Pathak, 67, and Ashok Bhalerao, 65, were from Dombivli and Deepak Rao, 58 was from Malad. Pathak and Bhalerao were close friends since their school time, and had been trekking together for the past 45 years while Rao was well known among trekkers in Mumbai. He was also associated with YHAI (Youth Hostels Association of India), which organises trekking across the country.
The trio, who were on their personal trek with a group of 13 trekkers – 12 from Maharashtra and one from Kolkata – reached Himachal Pradesh on October 16, and started their trekking on October 17 with the help of local porters and four guides from Rohru to Burua village in Kinnaur district. They were stranded in the Burua Kanda area due to heavy snowfall in the region. They are buried in the snow at a height of around 15,000 feet, fellow trekkers told family members.
Dhanraj Sansare, one of trekkers who survived, told TOI, “During trekking, our assessment for snow proved wrong as suddenly the weather changed and it started snowing heavily. Somehow many of us managed to climb down, but since three trekkers were aged, they got stuck. Another trekker, Prasad Pense (57), was also stuck, He was later rescued by porters and guides. The trio shouted for help, but before the rescue team could reach there, they were buried under the snow.”
Sunita Pathak wife of Rajendra Pathak, one of those who died, said, “We have heard from other trekkers that the authorities in Himachal Pradesh are trying to locate the bodies. We want the Central govrnment to provide necessary help to the Himachal authories to assist in the search operations. Already three days have passed.”
Bhalerao’s son-in –law Mayuresh Rajadhyaksh told TOI, “My father-in law was actively involved in trekking and was very passionate about it. It is very unfortunate that he died during trekking”.