CHAMOLI, Feb 28: A massive avalanche struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday, trapping at least 42 workers under snow near Mana village, close to the India-Tibet border. The workers were engaged in road construction when the avalanche hit, and a multi-agency operation has been launched to rescue them.
At the time of the avalanche, 57 workers were present at the site. While 15 workers have been rescued and rushed to an army camp in critical condition, efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining trapped workers.
Rescue operations are being carried out by multiple agencies, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Army. According to an Army statement, the avalanche occurred around 7:15 a.m. near a BRO camp, approximately 3 km ahead of Badrinath Dham, where workers were clearing snow for army movement. In response, the Army mobilized over 100 personnel from the Ibex Brigade, including doctors, ambulances, and heavy equipment.
The ongoing snowfall and smaller intermittent avalanches are hindering rescue efforts, which are being conducted with extreme caution. The General Reserve Engineer Force (GERF) is also working to clear the road between Joshimath and Mana, while additional medical resources from Joshimath are being mobilized to aid in the rescue.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the DG ITBP, and the DG NDRF to discuss the situation. Shah wrote on X: “Spoke to Chief Minister @pushkardhami ji, DG ITBP, and DG NDRF regarding the Chamoli avalanche. Our priority is to safely evacuate those trapped. The local administration is engaged in full-scale rescue efforts. Two NDRF teams are also en route.”
Chief Minister Dhami expressed his deep concern, stating, “Sad news has been received about workers being buried under an avalanche during BRO’s construction work near Mana. Rescue operations by ITBP, BRO, and other teams are in full swing. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for everyone’s safety.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his support, writing on X: “An unfortunate avalanche has struck the Mana area in Joshimath, affecting the BRO’s GREF camp. I have spoken to CM @pushkardhami. The administration is providing all possible assistance, and the Army is leading rescue efforts with all available resources.”
District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that 57 workers were engaged in clearing snow when the avalanche occurred. No fatalities have been reported yet. Tiwari directed officials to expedite the rescue mission. SDRF teams have been dispatched from Joshimath, and a high-altitude rescue team is on standby at Sahastradhara helipad, awaiting better weather conditions for aerial deployment.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Uttarakhand and other hilly regions, warning of extremely heavy snowfall – up to 20 cm – expected until late Friday night. Despite the challenging weather conditions, rescue teams continue to work tirelessly to locate and rescue the trapped workers.
