Avalanche Strikes BRO Camp in Uttarakhand, 1 Dead, 49 Rescued, 5 Still Trapped in Chamoli, rescue operation underway.
Uttarakhand:
A tragic avalanche hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in the high-altitude Mana village of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district yesterday, claiming the life of one laborer and leaving five others still trapped under the snow. The incident occurred early on Friday morning, between 5:30 am and 6 am, burying 55 workers who were inside eight containers and a shed, according to the Army.
By Friday night, 33 laborers had been successfully rescued, and rescuers continued to race against time to find survivors. On Saturday, 49 laborers were safely pulled out from under the snow, but five remain trapped, leaving rescuers working around the clock to retrieve them.
The avalanche struck the BRO camp, which is located between the Mana and Badrinath regions, during a critical period of snowfall. The laborers were engaged in construction work when the natural disaster struck, engulfing the camp and sparking a massive rescue operation involving the Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other emergency teams.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the affected area in Chamoli on Saturday to review the ongoing rescue operations. CM Dhami expressed his concern for the workers’ safety and was briefed by military officers and local administrative teams about the progress of the rescue work.
“Ensuring the safety of the affected laborers remains our top priority,” said CM Dhami. “The state government is fully committed to providing all possible assistance during this crisis. I have directed the teams to continue their efforts with the utmost urgency and support.”
The Chief Minister also highlighted the role of the central government in supporting the rescue efforts. “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the central government has been providing complete support to the rescue operation. Our ‘Double Engine’ government is committed to standing firm with the citizens in every situation,” Dhami added.
As the rescue teams continue to dig through the snow, hopes remain high for the five trapped workers, while authorities are also ensuring medical aid and shelter for the survivors. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to mitigate the impacts of the devastating avalanche.
