Eight laborer dies in Uttarakhand avalanche, 49 rescued; search continues for remaining 5 trapped workers
In a tragic incident in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, an avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in the high-altitude Mana village, resulting in the loss of eight lives. A total of 46 workers were successfully rescued from the snow-covered site, while efforts are still ongoing to locate and save the remaining five individuals who are trapped beneath the snow and debris. The rescue teams, comprising the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), are working tirelessly to maximize the chances of survival for those still missing.
The devastating avalanche hit between 5:30 am and 6:00 am on Friday, burying 55 workers inside eight containers and a makeshift shed located between Mana and Badrinath, according to official reports from the Army. The incident created an emergency, prompting an immediate response from multiple rescue agencies.
Despite the urgency of the situation, severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and snowfall, created significant challenges for the rescue teams, forcing them to halt operations on Friday night due to poor visibility and safety concerns. However, as soon as the weather improved on Saturday morning, rescue efforts were resumed with additional support from helicopters, which were deployed to aid in the operation from the air.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally monitored the situation, conducting an aerial survey of the affected region. He directed officials to accelerate the rescue efforts, emphasizing the importance of saving as many lives as possible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also intervened, reaching out to Chief Minister Dhami and assuring him that the central government would extend full support to the state authorities in handling the crisis.
According to N.K. Joshi, the District Disaster Management Officer, personnel from the Army and ITBP, who are stationed in Mana, resumed the search and rescue operation at the break of dawn on Saturday. The combined efforts of these forces played a crucial role in retrieving 46 labourers alive from the avalanche site, while the bodies of eight deceased workers were recovered.
The rescued labourers, many of whom suffered injuries, were promptly transported to the Army hospital in Jyotirmath for medical treatment. According to Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, some of the rescued workers sustained fractures, while others suffered from minor injuries. A few critically injured individuals required immediate medical attention, while the vitals of most survivors remained stable. Specialist doctors at the hospital conducted necessary medical investigations to ensure appropriate treatment for the injured labourers.
Meanwhile, as the search operation continued, concerns grew regarding the worsening weather conditions. Officials warned that deteriorating weather, including fresh snowfall, could further delay rescue efforts. Despite these challenges, Army helicopters continued making sorties in an attempt to expedite the mission. District Magistrate Tiwari expressed hope that if the weather conditions remained favorable, the remaining five workers could be located and rescued soon.
The incident has highlighted the dangers faced by labourers working in high-altitude regions, particularly in extreme weather conditions. It has also underscored the importance of timely rescue operations and coordinated efforts among multiple agencies to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters. The entire state remains hopeful that the remaining missing workers will be found and brought to safety in the coming hours.
