A devastating avalanche struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday, trapping at least 57 workers under a thick blanket of snow near Mana village. Rescue operations are facing severe challenges as the only access road to the affected site has been blocked by heavy snowfall.
The incident occurred near a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp, where construction workers were engaged in road-building activities. According to Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, all 57 individuals remain trapped under the snow, while efforts are underway to reach them.
Nilesh Bharne, a police spokesperson, confirmed the severity of the situation, stating that the avalanche has cut off critical access routes, delaying relief efforts. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), along with the Army, has launched a large-scale rescue operation, while teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are attempting to reach the site.
Colonel Ankur Mahajan of the BRO provided an update, saying, “A massive avalanche has occurred near the BRO camp in the border area of Mana, trapping 57 workers engaged in road construction. So far, 10 workers have been rescued and sent to the Army camp near Mana in critical condition.” The extent of their injuries remains unclear.
As freezing temperatures and treacherous terrain pose significant hurdles, authorities are racing against time to rescue the remaining workers. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured that all efforts are being made to bring the trapped individuals to safety.
