In Chamoli, Uttarakhand, at least 41 workers from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are trapped under an avalanche near Mana village. Out of 57 workers, 16 have been rescued and sent to an army camp, while rescue operations face challenges due to heavy snowfall and blocked roads. Indian Army and SDRF teams are engaged in the rescue, but weather conditions hinder efforts, including drone operations. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern and assured relief operations are underway. An orange alert has been issued for heavy rainfall in the region, raising concerns about flooding and travel disruptions.
Chamoli:
At least 41 workers from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are currently trapped under an avalanche in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, as reported by officials today. The incident happened near Mana village, located approximately five kilometres from the Badrinath temple.
Among the 57 workers present, 16 have been rescued so far and taken to an army camp near Mana village in critical condition, according to an official statement.
Here are the initial images from the rescue operation:
An avalanche hit a GREF Camp near Mana village in the Garhwal Sector, leading to fears that several labourers are trapped. The Indian Army’s IBEX BRIGADE has quickly initiated rescue operations despite ongoing heavy snowfall and minor avalanches. So far, 10… pic.twitter.com/adVcAu9g4g
— SuryaCommand_IA (@suryacommand) February 28, 2025
A total of 60-65 personnel are involved in the ongoing rescue efforts.
According to Deepam Seth, Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police, 57 road construction workers were stationed at the BRO camp at the time of the avalanche, as reported to NDTV.
“The rescue operation has been in progress for the last two hours. The primary challenge we face is the adverse weather conditions. Heavy snowfall and strong winds are affecting visibility… The roads are completely blocked. We have deployed snow cutters to clear the way,” Mr. Seth explained.
“Three to four ambulances have also been dispatched, but due to the heavy snowfall, the rescue team is encountering difficulties in reaching the site,” shared BRO Executive Engineer CR Meena with news agency ANI.
“With continuous rain and snowfall, we are unable to use helicopter services. Movement is challenging,” stated Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari.
A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team has departed from Joshimath and is en route to the accident location. The army has been contacted to clear the blocked route in Lambagad. An additional SDRF team is on standby at the Sahastradhara helipad. As soon as weather conditions permit, the high-altitude rescue team of the SDRF will be airlifted to the nearest accessible location.
The SDRF drone team is also on standby. However, heavy snowfall is currently preventing drone operations, informed Ridhim Agarwal, Inspector General of Police, SDRF.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow over the incident and assured that relief and rescue measures are being taken. Mr. Dhami also held a meeting with top state officials at the State Disaster Control Room to monitor the progress of the ongoing rescue efforts.
In a social media update on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Dhami wrote, “I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all our labour brothers.”
जनपद चमोली में माणा गांव के निकट BRO द्वारा संचालित निर्माण कार्य के दौरान हिमस्खलन की वजह से कई मजदूरों के दबने का दुःखद समाचार प्राप्त हुआ।
ITBP, BRO और अन्य बचाव दलों द्वारा राहत एवं बचाव कार्य संचालित किया जा रहा है।
भगवान बदरी विशाल से सभी श्रमिक भाइयों के सुरक्षित होने की…
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) February 28, 2025
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh communicated with Mr. Dhami and confirmed that “all efforts to rescue the trapped personnel are being undertaken by utilising all available resources.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the priority is to “safely evacuate the individuals trapped in the incident.” He indicated that two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will be arriving at the location shortly.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several hilly areas, including Uttarakhand, predicting very heavy rain (up to 20 cm) until late Friday night.
Thunderstorm with Lightning, Hail and Gusty winds (30-40 kmph) likely over Haryana and West Uttar Pradesh, with heavy rainfall (up to 12 cm) expected in Punjab and very heavy rainfall (up to 20 cm) anticipated in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand until the late hours of 28th February 2025.… pic.twitter.com/tSMbBn67ho
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) February 28, 2025
The IMD has warned that heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and closures of underpasses primarily in urban sectors. Expect occasional reductions in visibility due to heavy rain, increased travel times due to traffic disruptions, and minor damage to unpaved roads.