Avalanche struck BRO Camp in Uttarakhand, 32 Rescued, 25 Still Trapped

Chamoli, Uttarakhand: A massive avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp between Mana and Badrinath early Friday morning, trapping 57 workers under deep snow. So far, 32 individuals have been rescued, while 25 remain unaccounted for as rescue operations faced disruptions due to worsening weather conditions.

Multiple rescue teams battled harsh terrain, heavy snowfall, and freezing temperatures throughout the day to extract the trapped personnel. The initial rescue effort saw 10 workers pulled from the snow, followed by the retrieval of 22 more. Among the rescued, four are in critical condition, according to an Army PRO. The survivors have been taken to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp in Mana for medical attention.

Mana, a high-altitude village located three kilometers from Badrinath at an elevation of 3,200 meters, is the last Indian settlement on the Indo-Tibetan border. Videos from the scene depict rescuers trudging through thick snow in a landscape blanketed in white.

Rescue Operations Hampered by Weather

Rescue efforts were temporarily halted due to continuing snowfall and the looming threat of further avalanches. Authorities reported that two minor avalanches followed the initial massive snowslide, adding to the challenges. The avalanche occurred around 7:15 AM, burying workers inside eight containers and a shed.

Over 100 personnel from the Army’s Ibex Brigade, trained in high-altitude rescues, were swiftly mobilized to the site, equipped with doctors and ambulances. However, officials acknowledged the critical situation, with the buried structures trapped under nearly seven feet of snow.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were dispatched to the area, approximately 300 km from Dehradun, but struggled to reach the site due to adverse weather.

Modi Government Response

Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured that rescuing the trapped individuals remains the government’s top priority. In a post on X, he stated that he had spoken with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, as well as the Director Generals of the ITBP and NDRF, to coordinate efforts.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed concern, affirming that all available resources were being deployed for the rescue mission.

“An unfortunate avalanche has occurred in the Mana area of Joshimath (Uttarakhand) today, impacting a GREF camp of BRO. Spoke to CM Shri @pushkardhami regarding the situation. The administration is providing all assistance to the affected,” Singh posted on X.

The NDRF mobilized four teams for immediate deployment in Chamoli, while four additional units were placed on standby. Two teams were sent from Dehradun’s regional response center, while another two were diverted from Joshimath, 50 km away, where they had been engaged in a familiarization exercise.

Difficulties in the Rescue Mission

Officials reported that Army and ITBP teams stationed in Mana had been engaged in rescue operations since morning, but additional personnel from outside the region were delayed due to the inclement weather.

Local villagers pointed out that the accident site is known to be highly vulnerable to avalanches during winter. According to Pitambar Singh, the headman of Mana village, the BRO camp is typically closed during peak winter months. However, due to an initial lack of snowfall this season, the camp remained operational, ultimately leaving workers exposed to the avalanche.

Authorities had already been on high alert due to the forecasted bad weather and its potential risks. With rescue operations still ongoing and conditions remaining perilous, officials continue to race against time to locate and save the remaining 25 workers trapped under the snow.