Uttarakhand Avalanche: Rescue Operations Underway in Chamoli District

Chamoli, Uttarakhand – A catastrophic avalanche struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday morning, engulfing a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp and trapping several workers under a thick blanket of snow.

Authorities swiftly mobilized rescue efforts, successfully evacuating 50 workers from the avalanche-hit site in Mana village. However, four of the rescued individuals succumbed to their injuries, while operations continue to locate four more labourers still feared trapped. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) initially reported five missing workers, but one—Sunil Kumar from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra—managed to return home safely, shifting the focus to the remaining four.

A multi-agency rescue operation is currently underway, with personnel from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working in coordination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are closely monitoring the developments, while Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami remains actively involved, providing directives at regular intervals.

Rescue Efforts and Challenges

Of the 50 workers rescued so far, 33 were evacuated on Friday, followed by 17 more on Saturday. Given the severe obstruction of roads due to heavy snow, rescue operations on Saturday relied heavily on Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters. The Army deployed sniffer dogs to aid in locating the missing labourers and utilized five military helicopters along with a civil chopper as part of the ongoing search efforts.

To further enhance the search operation, authorities have planned to deploy Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) on Sunday, alongside thermal imaging and victim location cameras to detect any remaining survivors under the snow. Chief Minister Dhami received continuous updates from Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and Chamoli District Magistrate and has directed a comprehensive search effort to ensure no worker is left behind.

Casualties and Hospitalization

The four missing workers have been identified as Harmesh Chand from Himachal Pradesh, Ashok from Uttar Pradesh, and Anil Kumar and Arvind Singh from Uttarakhand. On Saturday, rescue teams discovered eight containers, but no additional workers were found inside.

Among those rescued, 24 workers were transported from the Army hospital in Mana to Joshimath, with two individuals in critical condition referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced medical care. Tragically, one worker succumbed to his injuries in Joshimath, while three others lost their lives after being rescued from the Badrinath/Mana region. The deceased have been identified as Mohindra Pal and Jitendra Singh from Himachal Pradesh, Manjit Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, and Alok Yadav from Uttarakhand, as per USDMA reports.

Timeline of the Avalanche

The avalanche struck between 5:30 and 6:00 AM on Friday, burying 55 workers inside eight containers and a shed. These workers were engaged in crucial infrastructure projects under the BRO in the high-altitude region of Chamoli district. The Indian military and paramilitary forces responded with urgency, launching rescue operations within hours of the disaster. Chief Minister Dhami has assured that the state government is fully committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected, emphasizing the paramount importance of worker safety.

Dhami also conducted an aerial survey of the disaster site and maintained communication with Prime Minister Modi, who has extended unwavering support to the ongoing rescue efforts.

Ongoing Relief Operations

Over 200 personnel from various agencies—including the disaster management authority, ITBP, BRO, NDRF, SDRF, IAF, district administration, health department, and fire brigade—are actively engaged in the rescue and relief operations.

Uttarakhand has witnessed multiple natural calamities in recent years, including landslides, floods, and avalanches, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to such disasters. The current rescue operation remains a race against time, as authorities continue to search for the missing workers amid challenging weather conditions.