42 workers trapped in Uttarakhand avalanche, multi-agency re
42 workers trapped in Uttarakhand avalanche, multi-agency rescue operations underway
According to reports, 57 workers were present at the site when the avalanche occurred. While 15 have been rescued and rushed to an army camp in critical condition, efforts are underway to locate the remaining trapped workers.
CHAMOLI (UTTARAKHAND)
— A massive avalanche struck Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Friday left
at least 42 workers engaged in road construction near Mana village, close to
the India-Tibet border, trapped under the snow, and a multi-agency operation
has been launched to rescue them, officials said.
According to reports, 57 workers were present at the site
when the avalanche occurred. While 15 have been rescued and rushed to an army
camp in critical condition, efforts are underway to locate the remaining
trapped workers.
Rescue operations are being carried out by multiple
agencies, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Border Roads
Organisation (BRO), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State
Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Army.
An Army statement said, the avalanche struck around 7.15
a.m. near a BRO camp, approximately 3 km ahead of Badrinath Dham, where workers
were clearing snow for army movement. The Army's swift response teams,
including over 100 personnel from the Ibex Brigade, doctors, ambulances, and
heavy equipment, were immediately mobilized.
An army official stated that ongoing snowfall and
intermittent smaller avalanches are slowing 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 mobilised.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said 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."
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed
deep concern over the tragedy, 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 posted: "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 has directed officials to
expedite the rescue mission. He confirmed that 57 workers were engaged in
clearing snow for army movement when the avalanche struck. So far, no
fatalities have been reported.
A team of the SDRF has been dispatched from Joshimath, while
a high-altitude rescue team remains on standby at Sahastradhara helipad,
awaiting improved weather for aerial deployment. The Army has also been
contacted to clear blocked routes in Lambagad.
Meanwhile, 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 - until late Friday night.
Rescue teams continue to battle challenging conditions as
efforts intensify to locate and save the trapped workers.
