A 24-year-old tourist from Delhi has gone missing under mysterious circumstances in the Malana area of Kullu district, triggering a search operation by the local police.
The incident has raised concerns among residents and authorities amid the increasing influx of tourists to the Parvati Valley region.
The missing tourist has been identified as Mohit Chaudhary, son of Kamal Singh, a resident of Sadar Bazar in Delhi Cantonment. According to police officials, Mohit travelled to Malana with his friends on May 7 for a holiday.
Reports indicate that on May 10, the group was staying at River Point Cafe in the Waichin Valley area near Malana. During their stay, Mohit reportedly told his friends that he was stepping out to collect some belongings.
However, hours passed, but he did not return to the cafe, prompting concern among his companions.
Initially, Mohit’s friends tried to trace him on their own. They searched nearby locations and repeatedly tried to contact him over the phone.
However, his mobile phone was switched off, and all attempts to establish communication failed. After their efforts yielded no results, they approached the Manikaran police and reported him missing.
Following the complaint, the police launched a search operation in the area. Teams are currently scanning possible routes and nearby locations where the missing tourist may have gone.
Authorities are also gathering information from local residents and cafe operators in the vicinity to trace his movements before he disappeared.
The incident has caused anxiety in the region, particularly as Parvati Valley continues to witness a steady rise in tourist arrivals. Known for its rugged terrain, remote trails, and isolated stretches, the area attracts thousands of adventure seekers every year, but authorities frequently caution visitors about safety risks.
Kullu SP Madan Lal Kaushal appealed to tourists to avoid venturing into unfamiliar areas without guides or proper registration.
He said police teams are making all possible efforts to locate the missing tourist and urged visitors to remain in contact with their travel companions and immediately inform authorities in case of an emergency.
A total of 1,078 persons went missing in Parvati Valley between 2003 and 2023. Of these, only 498 have been traced, while the rest remain swallowed by the dense deodar forests, raging rivers, and unforgiving terrain.
Foreigners are not immune either. Since 1991, 19 foreign nationals have gone missing in Kullu district, most of them in Parvati Valley. The list includes Australian Odette Victoria (1991), American Justin Alexander Shetler (2016), and Polish national Bruno Muschalik (2015), all of whom disappeared without a trace.
A vast majority of deaths and disappearances are due to negligence, with tourists wandering off marked trails, falling into deep gorges, or being swept away by sudden river surges, often without a professional guide.