• Source:JND
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A devastating avalanche struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday, trapping 25 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers under deep snow as of 7pm. The disaster took place near Mana village, just five kilometres from the revered Badrinath temple.

Thirty-two out of the 57 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers trapped under an avalanche near the high-altitude border village of Mana in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district were rescued on Friday, sources said.

The avalanche buried a BRO camp between Mana and Badrinath, prompting a large-scale rescue effort despite challenging conditions, including rough terrain, heavy snowfall, and continuous rain. No casualties have been reported so far.

Mana, located three kilometres from Badrinath, is the last village on the India-Tibet border at an altitude of 3,200 metres.

According to sources, the 32 rescued workers have been safely moved to the ITBP camp in Mana village for medical attention. However, rescue operations have been temporarily halted due to worsening weather and the heightened risk of further avalanches.

Massive Avalanche Buries BRO Camp in Chamoli

The avalanche hit a BRO camp situated between Mana and Badrinath early Friday morning. Of the 57 workers at the site, 22 managed to escape unhurt, while 10 were rescued and rushed to an army medical facility in critical condition. Efforts continue to reach the remaining 24 who are still trapped.

Mana Pass, where the incident occurred, lies 52 km north of Badrinath Dham and over 310 km from Dehradun. The area, known for its harsh weather, is experiencing continuous snowfall, making rescue operations increasingly challenging.

Rescue Operations Underway Amid Harsh Conditions

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured that all necessary resources are being deployed for the rescue efforts. "Our disaster management team, along with ITBP and other agencies, is fully engaged in bringing the trapped workers to safety," he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also reviewed the situation, stating that the government’s top priority is to evacuate those still stranded. Meanwhile, the Indian Army has mobilized additional medical teams from Joshimath to Mana to assist with treatment and aid.

However, the ongoing heavy snowfall is making it difficult to clear the roads between Joshimath and Mana, slowing down the rescue efforts.

Key Developments So Far

- Uttarakhand Avalanche: 33 Rescued as Rescue Operations Continue: According to the Uttarakhand government, 33 individuals have been successfully rescued from the avalanche that struck Mana in the Chamoli district.

- Temporary Control Room Set Up in Joshimath, Says CM Dhami: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the establishment of a temporary control room in Joshimath to coordinate rescue efforts.

“Since the trapped workers hail from different states, we have set up helpline numbers for their families. We are hoping for the safe evacuation of all. The disaster management team, district administration, ITBP, Indian Army, NDRF, and SDRF are actively involved in the rescue mission. Based on the weather forecast, we will utilize the available window to airlift the rescued individuals to the hospital,” Dhami said, as reported by ANI.

He further stated that the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as the Home and Defence Ministries, are closely monitoring the situation.

- Rescue Operations in Full Swing, Says Disaster Management Department

The Uttarakhand disaster management department confirmed that rescue efforts are proceeding at an urgent pace.

"As of 5:00 pm, 32 people have been safely evacuated, and efforts are underway to rescue the remaining 25. The operation is being carried out on a war footing to evacuate those trapped in the avalanche, which occurred 6 km ahead of Badrinath Dham in Chamoli district," the department stated, as per ANI.

- Thirty-two out of the 57 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers trapped under an avalanche near the high-altitude border village of Mana in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district were rescued on Friday, sources said.

- CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Reviews Situation: The Uttarakhand CM held an emergency meeting at the State Disaster Control Room to assess the progress of the rescue mission. In a social media post, he expressed his prayers for the safety of the trapped workers.

- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Extends Support; Speaking with CM Dhami, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured that every possible effort is being made to rescue those trapped, utilizing all available resources.

- IMD Issues Orange Alert: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions in Uttarakhand and other hilly regions. The harsh weather is expected to continue until late Friday night.

- Google Earth Reveals Remote Avalanche Site: Satellite images show the exact location in Chamoli where 41 BRO workers remain trapped, highlighting the difficult Himalayan terrain rescue teams must navigate.

- Heavy Snowfall Hampers Rescue Efforts: BRO Executive Engineer CR Meena confirmed that snowfall is slowing the operation. "Ambulances and medical teams have been dispatched, but heavy snow is making it difficult to reach the site," he stated.

- 6-7 Feet of Snow at Avalanche Site: Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman reported, "The situation is extremely challenging, as there is nearly 6-7 feet of snow covering the area. A 65-member team is actively involved in the rescue mission."

- Army Helicopter Requested for Evacuation: Rescue officials have requested an Army helicopter to airlift trapped workers due to the worsening weather. Those rescued so far have been taken to the ITBP hospital in Mana for urgent medical care.

- NDRF Deploys Four Additional Teams: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has dispatched four teams to Chamoli to assist in the rescue operations. NDRF Director General Piyush Anand confirmed that an additional four units are on standby for emergency deployment.

- 57 Workers Were Present at the Camp: According to Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, the workers were engaged in routine snow-clearing operations for army movement when the avalanche struck. "We currently have no reports of casualties, but active snowfall and rain are making rescue operations extremely slow," he said.

- Amit Shah Monitors Rescue Operations: The Union Home Minister confirmed that he has spoken with Uttarakhand CM Dhami, as well as the Directors General of ITBP and NDRF, ensuring that every possible effort is being made to bring the trapped workers to safety.

- 41 BRO Workers Still Await Rescue: The avalanche buried 57 BRO workers, of whom 16 have been rescued so far. The remaining 41 are still trapped under the snow as rescue operations continue.