February 28th 2025.
In the mountainous region of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, a tragic event unfolded as an avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp early on Friday morning. The camp, located between the villages of Mana and Badrinath, was buried under heavy snow, trapping 57 BRO workers inside. As news of the avalanche spread, multiple teams were quickly mobilized to reach the workers and begin rescue efforts.
Despite the treacherous terrain, harsh weather conditions, and limited daylight, the rescue teams were able to successfully extract 32 of the trapped workers. However, worries grew over the safety of the remaining 25 workers as night fell on the snow-clad slopes and rescue operations were temporarily suspended. Among the rescued workers, four were reported to be in critical condition and were immediately taken to the ITBP camp in Mana for medical treatment.
Mana, the last village on the India-Tibet border, is situated at a height of 3,200 metres and is known for its stunning views and treacherous weather. The visuals from the rescue site showed the rescuers battling through deep snow as they searched for the trapped workers. Due to the ongoing bad weather and the risk of further avalanches, the rescue operations had to be halted for the safety of the rescue teams.
The avalanche struck the BRO camp at around 7:15 am, burying the workers inside containers and sheds. The swift response teams from the Ibex Brigade, specially trained in high-altitude rescue operations, were immediately deployed. The team, which included doctors and ambulances, worked tirelessly throughout the day to reach and rescue the trapped workers.
According to Vinod Kumar Suman, the Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, the situation remains critical as the containers are buried under six to seven feet of snow. The bad weather persists, making the rescue operations even more challenging. In addition to the BRO and Army teams, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have also been mobilized to the site, about 300 km from the state capital Dehradun.
The gravity of the situation was not lost on the government officials, with Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh both closely monitoring the rescue efforts. Shah assured that the government's top priority is to rescue the trapped workers and that he had personally spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, as well as the heads of ITBP and NDRF. Singh also expressed his concern and stated that all possible resources were being utilized to rescue the trapped personnel.
The NDRF, with its expertise in rescue operations, quickly dispatched four teams to Chamoli, while four more teams were kept on standby. However, due to the continuously worsening weather conditions, the rescue operations were facing numerous challenges. The officials from the disaster management department in Chamoli informed that the Army and ITBP teams stationed in Mana were already engaged in rescue efforts, but teams from outside were unable to reach the site due to the bad weather.
The villagers of Mana reported that the BRO camp, which is usually closed during winter due to the risk of avalanches, had remained open this time due to the lack of snowfall. Unfortunately, this proved to be a fatal mistake as the workers became victims of the avalanche. The authorities were already on high alert due to the weather forecast and had issued an avalanche warning for the region. The MeT office in Dehradun had also predicted heavy rain and snowfall in the area, prompting the State Emergency Operations Centre to alert the concerned district magistrates.
Despite the challenges and obstacles, the rescue operations continued throughout the day, with a team of seven officers, 17 JCOs, and 150 other ranks working tirelessly to save the lives of the trapped workers. The Brigade Commander, Mandeep Dhillon, informed that a specialized medical team, along with ambulances and engineers, was also present at the site to assist in the rescue efforts and to clear the route between Mana and Joshimath.
As the day progressed, the Chief Minister informed the media that 16 of the trapped workers had been rescued and that all efforts were being made to rescue the remaining workers as soon as possible. He also expressed his gratitude to the rescue teams for their tireless efforts. In a heartfelt post on social media, he requested prayers for the safety of the trapped workers.
The rescue operations are still ongoing, and the fate of the remaining workers is uncertain. Our hearts go out to the workers and their families, and we hope for their safe return. We must also recognize and appreciate the bravery and dedication of the rescue teams who risked their lives to save others. Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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