• By Shibra Siddiqui
  • Fri, 28 Feb 2025 03:40 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Uttarakhand Avalanche: At least 16 BRO labourers were rescued on Friday while 41 others are still trapped under the snow after a big avalanche hit the border village of Mana in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. The avalanche has buried a nearby Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp, situated between Mana and Badrinath. Army and ITBP personnel are engaged in rescue operations.

The incident occurred on the National Highway that links Mana to Ghastoli. Officials said that the incident took place in Badrinath Dham after heavy snowfall in the morning. Chamoli DM Sandeep Tiwari said that instructions have been given to the officers to streamline the traffic on the blocked roads and restore power supply by repairing the damaged power lines.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took cognisance of the incident and directed the officials to carry out swift rescue operations. 

"Sad news was received about many workers being trapped under an avalanche during the construction work being carried out by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by ITBP, BRO and other rescue teams. I pray for the safety of all the labour brothers," CM Dhami said on X.

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Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, assuring him of all possible assistance. "Spoke to Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Dhami ji, DG ITBP, and DG NDRF regarding the glacier burst in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Our priority is to safely evacuate the people trapped in the accident," Amit Shah said.

According to the Chamoli district magistrate, the 57 labourers were at the camp when the avalanche struck between Mana and Mana pass in the morning. "These labourers do regular snow clearing work on the route for army movement towards the Tibet border... As of now, we have no news of any casualties. Rescue teams have been mobilised. But due to active snowfall and rain in the area, rescue work is slow," he said as quoted by PTI.

Notably, Lahaul and Spiti police had issued an avalanche warning in the region on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted very heavy rainfall of nearly 20cm till late tonight in Uttarakhand.