Manali: A trekking expedition in Himachal Pradesh ended in tragedy after a tourist was swept away by the strong current of the Majhach Nallah in the Manali region. The victim, identified as Dhananjay Verma, a resident of Udhampur in Jammu, was part of a group returning from a trek in the Shanag-Majhach hills.
The incident took place on July 25 when the 10-member trekking team was making its way back from the upper reaches of the scenic mountain trail. According to officials, the group was attempting to cross the swollen stream when Dhananjay, who was leading the team, lost his footing and was carried away by the fast-flowing water.
The remaining trekkers immediately alerted the local authorities, following which personnel from the Manali Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) launched an extensive search and rescue operation.
Rescue teams searched the area throughout the night, combing the stream and adjoining stretches in an effort to locate the missing tourist.
According to Manali DSP K.D. Sharma, the body of the deceased was recovered the following day from the banks of the Beas River near Vashisht. With the assistance of SDRF and NDRF personnel, the body was retrieved and later identified by the victim’s brother, Kanav Verma.
Police completed the necessary legal formalities before sending the body for a post-mortem examination. It was subsequently handed over to the bereaved family.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with trekking in the Himalayan region during the monsoon season, when streams and rivers can swell rapidly due to continuous rainfall in the higher reaches.
Authorities have urged trekkers and tourists to exercise extreme caution while exploring mountainous areas and to avoid attempting to cross fast-flowing streams without proper assessment of water levels and weather conditions. Officials also advised visitors to strictly follow local safety advisories and avoid venturing into risky terrain during periods of heavy rainfall.
