A devastating avalanche struck the high-altitude village of Mana in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district early Friday morning, burying a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp under massive heaps of snow. While 32 of the 57 trapped workers have been rescued, the fate of the remaining 25 hangs in the balance as rescue operations face severe challenges due to worsening weather conditions.
The avalanche, which swept down between Mana and Badrinath, caught the workers off guard inside eight containers and one shed. Swift response teams, including over 100 personnel from the Army’s Ibex Brigade—specially trained for high-altitude rescue operations—rushed to the site. However, as night fell and two additional mild avalanches followed, rescue efforts were temporarily halted due to safety concerns.
Rescue Operation Amid Harsh Conditions
Braving treacherous terrain, heavy snowfall, and sub-zero temperatures, rescue teams managed to pull out 10 workers initially, followed by more throughout the day. According to sources, four of the rescued individuals are in critical condition and have been taken to the ITBP camp in Mana for urgent medical attention.
Mana, located just three kilometers from Badrinath at an altitude of 3,200 meters, is the last Indian village before the Indo-Tibetan border. Visuals from the scene depict a harrowing landscape blanketed in snow, with rescue teams wading through deep drifts to reach the trapped workers.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Authorities have expressed grave concerns over the worsening weather, with continuous snowfall and rain further complicating rescue efforts. According to Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, the trapped workers remain buried under six to seven feet of snow.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been mobilized from Dehradun—approximately 300 km away—amidst ongoing snowfall and rainfall. Their mission remains perilous, but officials are determined to continue the operation as soon as conditions allow.
With 25 workers still missing, hopes for their survival rest on the expertise and perseverance of rescue teams battling the elements in one of India’s most unforgiving terrains.
