Shillong, Oct 5: A climber from Meghalaya, Tiklu Jyrwa, was reported missing in the avalanche that struck Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, yesterday.
Jyrwa was listed as one of the trainee mountaineers and instructors from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering who were caught in the avalanche while returning from Mount Draupadi Ka Danda II.
As of today, 10 people are confirmed dead, though only four bodies have been recovered. Fourteen climbers have been rescued, though reports from various sources differ in the numbers.
Jyrwa was one of three mountaineers from Meghalaya who had been selected earlier this year to attend a basic mountaineering course at the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh.
The 35-year-old is a member of the Meghalaya Sport Climbing and Mountaineering Association. He was sponsored by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs for the advanced mountaineering course at the NIM. He is a resident of Upper Lumparing.
On Wednesday afternoon, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on social media that he is “hoping and praying” for Jyrwa’s safety. “Rescue operations are on and we are in touch with SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) Uttarakhand.”