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Bad weather halts ops to rescue Panchkula man missing in HP

Accompanied by a friend from Panchkula, Akshay Sahani, a blogger, had embarked on the Churdhar peak trek from Nohradhar to visit the temple of the local deity Sri Sirgul Maharaj on Mahashivratri, February 26. While his friend Vikram Singh reached the temple, Sahani lost his way.

himachal trekking, akshay sahani, rescue operations, indian express

Akshay Sahani began the trek on February 26. (Express Photo)

Authorities on Thursday suspended the rescue operation launched on February 28 to trace a 28-year-old Panchkula resident who went for trekking in Himachal Pradesh, due to adverse weather conditions. The joint rescue operation, carried out by the SDRF and mountaineers from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, was initiated by the Sirmaur district administration.

Accompanied by a friend from Panchkula, Akshay Sahani, a blogger, had embarked on the Churdhar peak trek from Nohradhar to visit the temple of the local deity Sri Sirgul Maharaj on Mahashivratri, February 26. While his friend Vikram Singh reached the temple, Sahani lost his way.

“We suspended the rescue operation following the advice of experts and mountaineers involved. Continuing the operation in the current weather conditions would be risky for the rescue team. The operation will resume once the weather becomes favourable. Sahani’s family has been informed of the decision. His mother, a widow, had traveled to Nohradhar, the starting point of the Churdhar trek, with her relatives,” said Sangrah SDM Sunil Kaith, who was overseeing the rescue efforts.

The two friends had arrived in Nohradhar separately on their motorbikes on February 25 and began their trek at around 4:30 am on Mahashivratri.

Mountaineering instructor Som Dutt, who led the rescue operation, told The Indian Express that both the Panchkula had trekked the Churdhar route once or twice before, but separately. According to Vikram, he connected with Akshay through social media, as the latter was looking for a companion for the Mahashivratri trek. “Confident from their previous experiences, both were certain they could reach Churdhar despite the heavy snow, but this overconfidence proved fatal for Akshay. Vikram said he briefly returned to search for Akshay but was unable to locate him due to dense fog and heavy snowfall. Given the worsening conditions, he chose to move forward and reported Akshay’s disappearance upon reaching the temple,” Dutt added.

The instructor said Vikram accompanied the rescue team throughout the search operation.

Meanwhile, despite the adverse weather, trekkers — especially youths — continue to risk their lives attempting to reach the Churdhar peak. On Wednesday, the rescue team stopped and turned back a group of five solo trekkers from neighbouring Solan district at Tishri.

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“People, especially youngsters, are still risking their lives to reach the peak in these conditions. Trekking remains suspended from December 1 to March 31 due to harsh weather,” Dutt said.

A forest officer explained that the Churdhar trek falls under the jurisdiction of both Sirmaur and Shimla districts. The giant statue of Lord Shiva at the highest point is in Shimla district, while the temple of the local deity, Shri Sirgul Maharaj (Chureshwar Maharaj), is in Sirmaur district. The two main routes to Churdhar are from Nohradhar (18 km) in Sirmaur and Sarain (8 km) in Shimla. “Most people prefer the Nohradhar route because it’s moderate, but the risk of getting lost is higher due to multiple trails and dense forests. The Sarain route, on the other hand, is steeper and more challenging, with minimal chances of getting lost. While the Shimla administration was requested to assist in the rescue operation, they advised against it, citing the current weather conditions being too risky for search efforts,” the officer added.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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