Uttarakhand Avalanche: 47 Rescued, 8 Still Trapped as Heavy Snow Slows Rescue Efforts
A massive avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Badrinath on Friday trapping 55 workers. As of Saturday morning, 47 have been rescued, but eight remain buried under snow. Rescue teams, led by the Indian Army, are working tirelessly despite heavy snowfall and fading daylight.
The avalanche hit at 7:15 AM on Friday, burying workers inside eight containers and a shed. These workers were clearing snow to support army movement near Mana, the last Indian village on the Indo-Tibetan border. The Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade sprang into action, deploying over 100 personnel with doctors, ambulances, and equipment. By 11:50 AM Friday, they had rescued 10 workers from five containers, though four were in critical condition.
By the end of Day 1, 33 workers were saved. Rescue efforts paused overnight due to darkness and the risk of more avalanches. On Day 2, with a slight break in the weather, 14 more were pulled out. Three critically injured workers were airlifted to Joshimath using civilian helicopters hired by the Army. The search continues for the eight still trapped in three unlocated containers.
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Heavy snow—up to seven feet deep—has made the mission tough. Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman called it a “challenging task,” noting small-scale avalanches are slowing progress. The General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) is clearing roads to bring medical aid from Joshimath to Mana.Trump Slams Zelenskyy as ‘Not a Man for Peace’ After Explosive Oval Office Clash
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation. He updated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who promised full central support. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also assured Dhami that rescuing the trapped workers is a top priority, with teams from ITBP and NDRF on standby.
The trapped workers hail from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, adding urgency to the multi-agency effort. Despite the harsh conditions, the Indian Army remains committed, using all available resources to save lives.
This avalanche has gripped national attention, with hopes pinned on the rescue teams. As snow continues to fall, the race against time intensifies to bring the remaining eight workers home safely. Updates will follow as the situation unfolds.
