In Uttarakhand, an avalanche struck the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in Chamoli, resulting in the death of one of the 48 rescued workers. Seven workers remain missing. Rescuers faced challenges from severe weather and deep snow as they worked to retrieve the trapped individuals. The Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed teams for rescue operations, supported by Air Force helicopters. The region is under a rain and snowfall alert, complicating efforts. Local officials noted that the BRO camp typically closes for winter due to avalanche risk, but this year it remained operational due to insufficient snowfall.
New Delhi:
One of the 48 employees of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) who were rescued from the rubble of an avalanche in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli on Friday has succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. Seven workers are still unaccounted for. All the rescued personnel are currently receiving medical care at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) facility in Mana.
Over 65 rescue workers battled through nearly seven feet of snow overnight in the region between Mana village and Mana Pass, close to the Indo-Tibetan border, despite facing challenges from snowstorms and limited visibility. The urgency to locate the remaining workers intensified after the state’s Meteorological Department issued alerts for rain and snowfall in Chamoli district, with light rain also forecasted for Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Pauri, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Almora, Nainital, and Champawat.
A list published by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority indicates that the trapped laborers hail from states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir, among others. The list contains the names of 10 laborers but does not specify their respective states.
The avalanche struck between 5:30 am and 6 am on Friday, with the BRO camp located between Badrinath being buried in snow at Mana, the last village on the India-Tibet border at an elevation of 3,200 meters. Army response teams, comprising over 100 personnel from the Ibex Brigade—specially trained in high-altitude rescue missions—were swiftly mobilized, including doctors and ambulances.
The NDRF reported that it dispatched four teams to Chamoli. Additionally, another four teams were placed on standby, as stated by NDRF Director General (DG) Piyush Anand to PTI. Officials noted that two teams were sent from the Regional Response Centre (RRC) in Dehradun, while the other two were diverted from Joshimath, about 50 km from Mana, where they were conducting a familiarization exercise.
The Mi-17 helicopters from the Indian Air Force (IAF) were deployed to Mana on Saturday morning to aid in search-and-rescue efforts. The Mana helipad was activated, allowing for the rescue of 14 civilians, including one in critical condition.
Uttarakhand: The Mana avalanche rescue operation has started with helicopter rescues from Joshimath base camp. Two helicopters were sent to Badrinath Dham, with one returning from Mana pic.twitter.com/btS9IkR8Hd
— IANS (@ians_india) March 1, 2025
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is continuously overseeing the ongoing rescue efforts from his residence. On Friday, the state government released helpline numbers for those seeking assistance or information regarding the avalanche. The helpline numbers are 8218867005, 9058441404, 0135 2664315, and the toll-free number 1070.
Residents of Mana indicated that the accident site is known to be susceptible to avalanches during the winter months, and the BRO camp is typically closed at this time of year. “The camp remained open this year due to insufficient snowfall, which led to these workers becoming trapped,” remarked Mana village headman Pitambar Singh to PTI.
Reports suggest that the absence of civilian casualties during the avalanche can be attributed to the annual migration pattern observed in Mana. Each year, when the Badrinath temple closes, villagers migrate for approximately 4-5 months to escape the severe winter conditions.
Severe weather conditions have also complicated situations in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, with 583 roads—five of which are national highways—blocked in Himachal Pradesh, affecting areas such as Kullu, Shimla, Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur, and Kangra. One tourist has died, several have sustained injuries, and 22 vehicles have been washed away. The Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only route connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, has been closed for the third consecutive day, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.