Updated:
The state government has written to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to take up search operation to retrieve the body of ace Odia woman mountaineering Kalpana Dash (49) who died during an expedition to Mt Everest on Thursday.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Sports and Youth Services Department, Vishal Dev said that the state has lost one of its finest. “We are committed to bring her mortal remains back to her state. It is reported to be at the balcony, at an altitude of approximately 8,600 meters. We have written to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and are in touch with them regarding the search and rescue operation,” said Dev.
“Since the expedition season is coming to an end in the next three days, the embassy has been urged to take up the search and recovery operation on priority and the entire expenses will be borne by the state government. The family of Dash has been assured all support, he added.
Bhubaneswar: Ace Odia woman mountaineering Kalpana Dash (49) has died during an expedition to Mt Everest yesterday.
Kalpana, who was having a number of laurels to her name was a part of a three-member women mountaineers’ team which scaled the up to the summit of Mt Everest last afternoon. While, descending from the peak she succumbed due to sickness at balcony area.
The mishap took place at around 12.55, said Himalayan Times, a newspaper based in Nepal.
However, rest two in Kalpana’s team Liyamu Ma from China and Kanchhi Maya Tamang from Nepal remained safe.
Apart from Mt Everest Kalpana had climbed several other high peaks in India, Nepal, South America, Australia and Europe. She scaled Mt Everest from Nepal side in 2008 to bring accolades to Odisha.
Ms Kalinga