An avalanche struck Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, trapping 57 workers who were engaged in road construction work near the Indo-Tibetan border. According to reports, 15 workers have been rescued and sent to a nearby army camp in critical condition. A massive rescue operation is currently in progress to save the remaining workers.
Rescue efforts face challenges due to heavy snowfall
The avalanche took place 3 km ahead of Badrinath Dham, close to a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp. Around 60-65 personnel are involved in the rescue mission, but the operation is facing difficulties due to heavy snowfall.
BRO Executive Engineer CR Meena stated that although three to four ambulances have been sent to the site, the snowfall has slowed down their arrival. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has also sent a team from Joshimath, and the Indian Army has been called in to clear blocked roads at Lambagad.
To speed up rescue operations, an SDRF high-altitude rescue team is on standby at the Sahastradhara helipad. If weather conditions improve, the team will be airlifted to the nearest location. SDRF drone teams are also ready to assist, but heavy snowfall is making drone surveillance impossible, according to Inspector General of Police, SDRF, Ridhim Agarwal.
Government and IMD warnings
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his concern about the situation, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the labour brothers.”
सभी श्रमिकों की सकुशल होने की भगवान बद्रीनाथ जी से प्रार्थना करता हूं
— Alok Vairagi (Rajput) (@GoldsmAlok) February 28, 2025
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several hilly areas, including Uttarakhand, warning of very heavy rain (up to 20 cm) until late Friday night. The IMD predicts localised flooding, road closures, traffic disruptions, and reduced visibility due to the harsh weather conditions.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly despite the challenging conditions, and efforts are ongoing to save the trapped workers.
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