Chamoli, Uttarakhand | February 28, 2025
A devastating avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district early Friday morning, trapping 57 workers under thick snow. As rescue operations unfolded throughout the day, 32 workers were successfully pulled out, while 25 remain trapped as nightfall hampers further efforts.
Race Against Time: Rescue Operations Underway
The avalanche, which hit around 7:15 AM, buried the BRO camp—located between Mana and Badrinath—under nearly seven feet of snow. Swift response teams, including the Army’s Ibex Brigade, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), launched a large-scale rescue operation despite treacherous weather conditions.
Rescue teams initially managed to extract 10 workers and, later, an additional 22, according to officials. However, with temperatures plummeting and snow continuing to fall, concerns are growing over the fate of those still trapped. Four of the rescued individuals are in critical condition and are receiving medical care at the ITBP camp in Mana.
Difficult Terrain and Harsh Weather Pose Challenges
Mana, situated at an altitude of 3,200 meters and known as India’s last village near the Tibet border, remains a high-risk zone for avalanches during the winter months. Officials halted rescue operations temporarily as the risk of secondary avalanches loomed. Two minor snowslides followed the main avalanche, increasing the danger for both trapped workers and rescue teams.
Visuals from the site depict rescue personnel navigating knee-deep snow, braving icy winds and low visibility to reach the buried containers and shed where the workers were stationed.
Government and Defence Ministry Respond
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured that rescuing the stranded workers is the government’s top priority. In a post on X, he confirmed discussions with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and senior officials from ITBP and NDRF.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also addressed the incident, stating, “An unfortunate avalanche has struck the Mana area in Joshimath, impacting a GREF camp of BRO. I have spoken to CM @pushkardhami, and all resources are being deployed for rescue operations.”
The NDRF has dispatched four teams to Chamoli, with four additional units on standby. Two teams were mobilized from the Dehradun Regional Response Centre, while another two were redirected from Joshimath, located approximately 50 km away.
Local Challenges and Avalanche Warnings
Residents of Mana village, familiar with the region’s harsh winters, noted that the BRO camp is typically shut down during heavy snowfall. “This year, due to a lack of early snow, the camp remained open. Unfortunately, this decision has led to tragedy,” said village headman Pitambar Singh.
Chamoli’s disaster management officer, NK Joshi, highlighted the difficulty in mobilizing reinforcements due to relentless snowfall and poor road conditions. The Army and ITBP teams stationed in Mana have been at the forefront of rescue efforts since morning, while additional rescue units are struggling to reach the site.
Authorities had already been on high alert for worsening weather conditions. With heavy snowfall predicted to continue, the rescue teams face an uphill battle to locate and save the remaining 25 workers before freezing temperatures make survival even more difficult.
Hope Amid Adversity
Despite the challenges, officials remain hopeful that all trapped workers will be rescued. Specialized mountain rescue units equipped with thermal imaging devices and sniffer dogs are being deployed to locate survivors under the snow.
As the nation watches anxiously, the coming hours will be crucial in determining the fate of those still buried beneath the avalanche. The rescue teams, undeterred by the elements, continue their mission—fighting against time and nature to bring every worker home safely.
