Chamoli, Uttarakhand (National Times)– Search and rescue teams in Uttarakhand’s Mana village have successfully pulled 14 more Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers from the avalanche-hit site, but eight remain trapped, officials reported on Saturday.
The avalanche struck early Friday morning, burying 55 workers under heavy snow near a BRO camp between Mana and Badrinath. By Friday night, 33 workers were rescued, and an additional 14 were saved on Saturday morning.
Confusion Over Number of Trapped Workers
Initially, officials believed 57 workers were buried, but Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman later clarified that two were on leave, reducing the number of affected individuals to 55.
The trapped workers belong to several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. The disaster management authority has released a list of names, though details on 10 workers remain unconfirmed.
Harsh Weather Conditions Hamper Rescue Efforts
With seven feet of snow covering the site, more than 65 personnel are engaged in challenging rescue operations. The Army’s Ibex Brigade, specially trained for high-altitude rescues, has deployed over 100 personnel, including doctors and ambulances.
The avalanche hit between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM on Friday, trapping workers inside eight containers and a shed. Some workers were pulled out alive in the initial hours, while others were located through intensive rescue operations.
Operations Temporarily Halted Due to Weather Risks
Authorities have paused rescue operations due to bad weather and the threat of additional avalanches. Reports indicate that two smaller avalanches followed the main one, increasing the risk for rescuers.
Located 3,200 meters above sea level, Mana is the last Indian village before the Tibet border, just three kilometers from Badrinath. Videos from the scene show rescue teams struggling through deep snow in an unforgiving landscape.
The situation remains critical, with efforts ongoing to reach the remaining trapped workers. Officials are closely monitoring weather conditions to resume rescue operations as soon as possible.
