Rescue operations are still underway in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district after a devastating avalanche struck near the high-altitude border village of Mana on Friday, February 28, 2025. The avalanche buried 57 workers from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), who were engaged in crucial snow-clearing operations to maintain road access for Army movements towards the India-Tibet border. So far, 16 workers have been rescued and sent to an Army camp near Mana village, but four of them are in critical condition. The remaining 41 workers are still trapped under the heavy snow, and rescue teams are battling severe weather conditions to reach them.
Multiple agencies, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities, are involved in the rescue efforts. However, heavy snowfall, rain, and the treacherous mountainous terrain have significantly slowed down operations. Low visibility has also made it impossible to deploy helicopters for the mission, further complicating the rescue process.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured us that the state government is making every possible effort to evacuate the trapped workers safely. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to the Chief Minister and confirmed that the Centre is closely monitoring the situation. Shah emphasized that the government's top priority is to ensure that all those trapped in the avalanche are rescued safely.
Authorities had been on high alert before the incident due to severe weather warnings. The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) had issued an avalanche warning at 5 PM on Thursday, specifically cautioning about the risk in areas above 2,400 meters, including Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts. Additionally, the Meteorological Office in Dehradun had forecasted isolated heavy rainfall and snowfall in locations situated above 3,500 meters on Friday morning. Following these warnings, the State Emergency Operations Centre had alerted district authorities in advance, but despite precautions, the avalanche struck, trapping dozens of workers.
The current weather in Badrinath is making rescue operations even more difficult. The temperature is hovering around 36°F (2°C), with overcast skies and persistent snowfall. The forecast indicates continued rain and heavy snow, with additional accumulations of 15-25 cm expected in the region. The challenging weather conditions are severely hampering efforts to locate and free the trapped workers.
Authorities remain on high alert, and rescue teams are working round the clock despite the harsh conditions. Families of the trapped workers are anxiously waiting for updates, and government officials have assured them that every effort is being made to bring their loved ones to safety. More updates are expected as the situation unfolds, and rescue teams push forward in their mission to save as many lives as possible.
