The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp located at high altitudes by Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district suffered a devastating avalanche that trapped 55 workers. The snowslide occurred on Friday morning to engulf the staff involved in vital army movements toward the India-Tibet border as they worked on snow removal duties. According to the latest reports 33 workers successfully escaped from snow but eight individuals remain buried beneath the snow. Several rescue teams along with the Indian Army continuously work to save the remaining stranded soldiers.
The workers face a life-threatening situation due to their current position under six to seven feet of snow. The Indian Army together with personnel from both Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have struggled to execute their rescue operations. Aggressive weather conditions consisting of rough ground and massive snowfall and disorganised ice has caused the rescue operation to stagnate. Active participation in the rescue operation includes more than 65 personnel despite facing numerous challenges. Two mild avalanche have formed after the original slide making the operation even harder.
Workers Trapped Comes from Different States
According to the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority, the workers trapped in the avalanche originated from different parts of India including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Emergency teams have rescued 33 individuals while another 14 workers received safe evacuation on Saturday morning. The trapped workers had been inside containers and a shed before avalanche destruction swept them away. A rapid emergency response began when the avalanche struck at 5:30 am Friday.
The rescue teams, which include specially trained personnel from the Ibex Brigade, have been working under harsh conditions. Some of the rescued individuals are reported to be in critical condition, and they have been airlifted to nearby Joshimath for medical treatment. However, the weather has halted operations multiple times, as the risk of more avalanches remains high.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Oversee Operation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation, staying in constant communication with officials on-site. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have assured that all efforts are being made to prioritise the safety of those trapped and ensure their swift evacuation.
Additionally, the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway has been blocked due to debris from continuous rainfall. Authorities are working to clear the route to restore traffic and facilitate further rescue operations.
