Twenty-four friends from Manchar’s Awasari Khurd village, who were on a Char Dham Yatra reunion after 35 years, went unreachable following a cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The group, all 1990 Std X batchmates, began their journey on August 1 from Mumbai and were expected to return on August 12 via Delhi.
According to Ashok Bhor’s son, Aditya, the group was last contacted on Monday evening, around 10 km from Gangotri, when they got stuck due to landslides and fallen trees. Since then, phones have been unreachable, raising serious concern among families.
The state disaster management department said 149 tourists from Maharashtra are stranded. Of these, 76 are from Mumbai, 17 from Sambhajinagar, 15 from Pune, and others from various districts. While 61 tourists from Mumbai are confirmed safe at Hanuman Ashram, nearly 75 remain out of contact.
Five deaths have been reported near Dharali village, around 15-20 km from Gangotri. Family members and friends, including batchmate Malhari Abhang, are growing increasingly anxious. He recalled last speaking to the group via video call on Monday afternoon.
Despite government assurances, families—like Mahendra Jangam, whose sister is in the group—remain worried. Supriya Sule, Baramati MP, appealed to the Uttarakhand CM and Maharashtra government via social media to help locate the group.
Officials confirmed that the tourists are likely safe, but direct contact is yet to be established with many. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar assured that rescue efforts are ongoing, urging families to stay calm.