A woman pilgrim from Punjab died after falling into a deep gorge along the Chopta-Tungnath trek route in Uttarakhand. Officials identified the deceased as Pooja Sahni, 26.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said the woman was reported missing on Sunday evening. She had allegedly fallen into a 400-metre-deep gorge near Ravanshila on the Tungnath trail. A search operation was launched after the missing report.
Tungnath Trail Accident: How the Body Was Recovered
The woman's body was spotted deep in the gorge along the Chopta-Tungnath route on Monday. Officials said the body was retrieved from the gorge with the help of police.
After recovery, the body was carried on a stretcher for about 3 km to Chopta. The body has been handed over to the district police.
What We Know About the Chopta-Tungnath Route
The Chopta-Tungnath trail is a trekking route that leads to the Tungnath temple. The accident took place near Ravanshila, a point along this route.
- The woman was on her way to the Tungnath temple when the accident happened
- She was reported missing on Sunday evening
- The gorge at the spot is 400 metres deep
- SDRF and police carried out the search and recovery operation
- The body was handed over to the district police
Our Take: Trekking Safety Needs More Attention
This is a tragic loss of a young life. A 26-year-old woman who set out for a temple visit never returned. In our view, the focus should now be on what can be done to prevent such accidents on popular trekking routes like the Chopta-Tungnath trail.
To put it plainly, deep gorges and narrow trails near pilgrimage sites are dangerous, especially for solo or first-time trekkers. Better warning signs, railings at vulnerable points like Ravanshila, and quicker missing-person response systems could save lives. The SDRF and police did their job in recovering the body, but the bigger question is whether enough is being done to stop people from falling in the first place.
For readers planning treks in the Uttarakhand hills, this news is a reminder to stay on marked paths, avoid walking alone near edges, and inform others about your route. One wrong step near a 400-metre drop leaves no room for a second chance.