Kerala Tourists Go Missing Amid Uttarakhand Mudslides

A group of 28 tourists from Kerala, trekking through Uttarakhand, has gone missing following a devastating cloudburst that triggered heavy mudslides. Family members expressed concern on Wednesday as they lost communication with the travelers, some of whom are settled in Maharashtra.

The 28-member group, including 20 from Maharashtra and eight from Kerala, last made contact while journeying from Uttarkashi to Gangotri. "We have been unable to contact them since they left," said a relative, adding that the travel agency organizing the trip was also unable to provide any updates.

The disaster has claimed four lives in the Dharali region, known for its ecological fragility. Officials report that nearly half of Dharali is buried under mud, affecting access to the region and complicating rescue efforts. The area remains cut off with no mobile network availability.

(With inputs from agencies.)