Anurag Maloo missing: Family floats petition to help find climber lost at Mt Annapurna

A search and rescue operation is underway for missing Indian mountaineer Anurag Maloo for third consecutive day. Maloo went missing after Maloo reportedly fell into deep crevasses on Mount Annapurna on Monday, April 17. 34-year-old climber went missing after falling off while descending from Camp-III of 10th highest mountain in world. Local Sherpas are conducting a ground-level search. ditionally, a helicopter with a carbon dioxide detector has been deployed in search. 

While rescue operations are on, Anurag Maloo's family has launched a signature campaign to secure support for mountaineer's search and rescue. signature campaign is intended to appeal to Indian and Nepalese authorities to deploy special rescue teams to take up search.  

Maloo, a resident of Rajasthan's Kishangarh was climbing summit to raise awareness about  Sustainable Development Goals, when he went missing. A team of five Sherpa climbers are involved in search operation. aspiring mountaineer h scaled Mount Ama Dablam last year and was planning to stand atop Mount Annapurna, Lhotse and Everest this season.

Family petition to Indian and Nepalese government

Aashish Maloo, bror of Anurag Maloo, while launching signature campaign to bring back his bror, wrote, "My bror Anurag is most passionate climber that I know. Since I can remember, climbing mountains has been a dream of his. Each time he set out to climb, he would make sure he h Indian flag by his side, rey to be hoisted across world's highest peaks. His passion took him on a mission to climb all 14 peaks above 8000m and 7 Summits to create awareness and drive action towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals."

"Last week he h set out to climb Mount Annapurna, 10th highest mountain in world. It was without question that he will return after successfully summiting yet anor peak. But in an unfortunate turn of events, he fell down from around 6,000m while descending from Camp III on April 17, and since n has been missing. We are devastated. It feels like our worst nightmares have come true, but we cannot lose hope. We know that Anurag is out re somewhere, waiting for us. Help us find him by signing and sharing this petition," Maloo urged. 

Anurag's bror furr wrote that a team of sherpas have started search operation, but that’s not enough at moment. He emphasised on acting faster in order to trace him as quickly as possible.

Asking help from both Indian and Nepalese government he said, "We need support from Indian and Nepalese governments. We have contacted some of m, and need your support in making sure our voices reach m. This matter needs to be brought to ir attention on an urgent basis. We need a special rescue team that is trained to operate in such risky terrain. Only with ir support can we ensure that Anurag is found as soon as possible! We will be forever grateful for your support!"

"Anurag, you're a fighter, and we will find you. We have so many things to tell you, be back soon! You are so loved and cared for; we cannot wait for your safe return!!" Aashish concluded. 

Over 25,320 people h signed cause till Wednesday, night. 

Rajasthan minister writes to CM Gehlot

Earlier, Rajasthan Sports Minister Ashok Chandna wrote to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and informed him about Anurag Maloo, missing from Mountain Annapurna in Nepal. Chandna requested CM to get in touch with Ministry of External Affairs and expedite search operation.

Anurag Maloo was on a mission to scale all 14 mountains above 8000 metres and seven summits to create awareness and drive action towards achieving  UN Global Goals. 

Two Indian climbers rescued

Meanwhile, two Indian climbers, Baljeet Kaur and Arjun Vajpai, who went missing on Monday night, were eventually rescued by Nepali rescuers. Indian woman climber Baljeet Kaur who went missing above camp IV on Mt Annapurna has been rescued alive from 7,363 meters. She has reportedly suffered frostbites and has been mitted to a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. While, Arjun Bajpai was rescued from camp IV after he fell ill, while descending from summit. He has reportedly sustained some injuries and is being treated at a hospital.