Chamoli, Uttarakhand, February 28, 2025: Thirty-two of the 57 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers trapped under an avalanche in Mana village, Uttarakhand, have been rescued. However, as night falls and the weather worsens, concerns for the remaining 25 workers grow.
The avalanche struck early on Friday morning, burying a BRO camp between Mana and Badrinath under heavy snow. Rescue teams battled through harsh terrain, freezing temperatures, and continuous snowfall to reach the stranded workers. Initially, 10 workers were pulled out, followed by 22 more.
Rescue Efforts and Challenges
Four of those rescued are in critical condition and have been taken to the ITBP camp in Mana for treatment. The Indian Army, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF have been mobilized, but rescue operations were halted due to bad weather and the threat of more avalanches.
The avalanche, which occurred around 7:15 AM, buried the workers inside eight containers and one shed. The Ibex Brigade, a specialized high-altitude rescue team, was immediately deployed, including over 100 personnel, doctors, and ambulances.
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman described the situation as critical, with the containers buried under six to seven feet of snow. The bad weather has made rescue operations even more difficult.
Government’s Response
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that rescuing the trapped workers is the government’s top priority. He confirmed that he had spoken to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and the DGs of ITBP and NDRF to coordinate efforts.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured that all available resources were being used to rescue the personnel. The NDRF deployed four teams to Chamoli, while four more were on standby.
Officials noted that the BRO camp in Mana is usually closed in winter due to the risk of avalanches, but this year it remained open due to less snowfall earlier in the season. Mana village headman Pitambar Singh confirmed that the area is known for frequent avalanches in winter.
Ongoing Challenges
Heavy snow and rain continue to hamper rescue efforts. Chamoli’s disaster management officer NK Joshi said that while local Army and ITBP teams have been working since morning, rescue teams from outside are struggling to reach the site due to bad weather.
The rescue mission remains a race against time, with authorities working tirelessly to save the remaining 25 trapped workers.
