Rescue operations continue in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district after an avalanche buried a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana village on Friday morning. While 46 workers have been successfully rescued, nine remain trapped under the debris as authorities battle harsh weather conditions, heavy snowfall, and poor visibility. Among the rescued, four workers are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp in Mana. The urgency of the situation has intensified following an alert issued by the state’s Meteorological Department, warning of possible rain and snowfall in Chamoli and other districts, raising concerns over the safety of the trapped workers and the ongoing rescue operations.
More than 65 personnel have been working tirelessly, plowing through nearly seven feet of snow to reach the trapped workers. The avalanche struck between 5:30 am and 6 am on Friday, burying the BRO camp located between Mana village and Mana Pass, close to the Indo-Tibetan border. The Army’s swift response teams, consisting of over 100 personnel from the Ibex Brigade, were immediately mobilized to aid in the high-altitude rescue mission. These teams, trained specifically for such operations, include medical personnel and ambulances to provide emergency care. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed four teams to Chamoli, while an additional four units are on standby. Two teams were rushed from the Regional Response Centre (RRC) in Dehradun, and two others were redirected from Joshimath, where they were stationed for a familiarization exercise.
In a further push to expedite the rescue, the Indian Air Force’s Mi-17 helicopters joined the mission on Saturday morning, assisting in evacuating stranded individuals and transporting critical supplies. The helipad in Mana was reopened, enabling the rescue of 14 civilians, one of whom is in serious condition. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation from the CM’s residence, ensuring that all necessary resources are being directed toward the rescue efforts. The state government has also issued helpline numbers—8218867005, 9058441404, 0135 2664315, and the toll-free 1070—for individuals seeking information or assistance related to the disaster.
The trapped workers belong to various states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority has released a list of ten names, though the specific states of origin of some of the workers remain unconfirmed.
Villagers in Mana have expressed concerns about the BRO camp’s continued operation during the winter months, as the site is known for its susceptibility to avalanches. The headman of Mana village, Pitambar Singh, stated that the camp is usually shut down by this time of the year. However, due to a lack of early snowfall this season, the camp remained operational, leading to the workers getting trapped when the avalanche struck.
The impact of inclement weather is not limited to Uttarakhand alone. Heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions have disrupted normal life in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, blocking 583 roads, including five national highways. Kullu, Shimla, Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur, and Kangra are among the worst-affected areas. One tourist has died, several are injured, and at least 22 vehicles have been washed away. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway remains shut for the third consecutive day, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and causing significant disruption to transportation.
As search-and-rescue operations continue under challenging conditions, authorities remain focused on retrieving the remaining trapped workers while ensuring the safety of the rescue teams. With unpredictable weather conditions and another spell of snowfall anticipated, the next few hours will be critical in determining the success of the ongoing mission.
