Uttarakhand: At Least 41 Workers Trapped In Avalanche Near Mana, 16 Rescued; Rescue Efforts Underway

An avalanche hit near Mana in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday (28 February), leaving at least 41 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers feared trapped.

Around 57 workers were reportedly present at the site when the avalanche struck, The New Indian Express reported.

So far, 16 people have been rescued and shifted to an army camp near Mana in critical condition.

Three injured workers have been transported to the hospital, while search and rescue efforts continue for the remaining trapped workers.

"The Indian Army and ITBP have arrived at the scene to assist in rescue operations," officials were quoted as saying in the TNIE report.

The workers are believed to be contractors associated with the BRO.

According to the officials, heavy snowfall has been affecting the upper regions of Chamoli for several days.

These workers have been employed by a company engaged in highway widening and asphalting projects along a 50-kilometer stretch from Mana to Mana Pass.

The Border Roads Organization (BRO) is overseeing this construction through an EPC contractor.

The avalanche struck near the highway, approximately three kilometers from the Badrinath Temple.

BRO Executive Engineer C R Meena stated that three to four ambulances have been dispatched, but rescue teams are struggling to reach the site due to heavy snowfall.

State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Commandant Arpan Yadavanshi provided an update on the rescue efforts, stating that both the SDRF and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been sent to the site, but they are stranded due to the highway closure.

Severe weather has forced the closure of the highway beyond Hanuman Chatti.

Meanwhile, ITBP personnel are currently involved in the rescue operations.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed sadness over the incident on X, adding that ITBP, BRO, and other rescue teams are carrying out relief operations.

"Sad news was received about many workers being buried under an avalanche during the construction work being carried out by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by ITBP, BRO and other rescue teams. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the labour brothers," Dhami wrote in Hindi.

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