A massive avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday morning, leaving 25 construction workers missing while 32 have been rescued so far. Rescue operations are ongoing, but bad weather conditions are hampering efforts.
Rescue Operations Underway Amid Harsh Weather
According to Chamoli district disaster management officer Nand Kishore Joshi, 57 workers were trapped when the avalanche hit the camp. So far, 32 workers have been rescued, while efforts continue to locate the remaining 25 missing workers.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that poor visibility and heavy snowfall are making the rescue mission difficult. Helicopters cannot be deployed due to the adverse weather.
Avalanche Strikes Near India-China Border
The avalanche occurred near a highway along Mana village, the last Indian village before the India-China border, about 4 km from the Badrinath temple. The workers were engaged in keeping the 50-km stretch between Mana Pass and Mana village clear of snow and boulders when disaster struck.
Army and Disaster Response Teams on Site
A rescue team of 174 personnel from the Indian Army’s IBEX Brigade has been working since 8 AM to locate and evacuate trapped workers. Lt Col Manish Srivastava, Defence PRO in Dehradun, said that a specialised medical team with two doctors and four ambulances has also been deployed.
Meanwhile, Chamoli district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army, ITBP, and other agencies are working together to rescue the trapped workers.
Connectivity and Access Issues Delay Operations
BRO Commander Colonel Ankur Mahajan stated that the avalanche struck at 8 AM, affecting workers employed in road construction. He noted that the area lacks mobile connectivity, making communication difficult. Roads before Hanuman Chatti are blocked, further delaying rescue operations.
State Government Monitoring the Situation
In Dehradun, Chief Minister Dhami visited the State Disaster Operations Centre to oversee the ongoing rescue efforts. He assured that all possible resources are being deployed to ensure the safety of the trapped workers.
Teams on Standby for Additional Support
According to SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi, additional teams have been dispatched from Jyotirmath (Joshimath) to the affected site, while high-altitude rescue teams from Gauchar (Chamoli) and Sahastradhara (Dehradun) have been placed on standby.
Current Situation and Next Steps
As of now, search and rescue operations remain the top priority, with all efforts focused on locating the missing workers and ensuring their safety. Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions and coordinate logistics to expedite the operation.
Sources By Agencies