Chamoli Accident: Fourteen more workers trapped in the avalanche-hit area of Chamoli, Uttarakhand, have been successfully rescued. A total of 55 workers were initially reported missing after the avalanche, and so far, 47 have been rescued. However, eight workers are still trapped under the snow, and rescue operations are ongoing to locate and evacuate them.
According to officials, rescue personnel have been working tirelessly at the high-altitude Manna village in Chamoli district to recover those trapped under the snow at the Border Roads Organization (BRO) camp. The search and rescue operation resumed on Saturday at the avalanche site. While 14 more workers were pulled out from the snow, efforts are still underway to locate the remaining eight.
47 Workers Rescued, Eight Still Missing
With the latest rescue of 14 workers, the total number of workers rescued now stands at 47 out of the 55 initially trapped in the avalanche that struck the BRO camp between Manna and Badrinath on Friday morning. By Friday night, 33 workers had been successfully rescued. However, the rescue efforts faced challenges due to heavy snowfall and rain, forcing authorities to suspend the operation overnight. On Saturday, with improved weather conditions, helicopters were deployed to assist in the rescue mission.
Workers Trapped for Over 24 Hours
Chamoli District Disaster Management Officer N.K. Joshi stated that rescue operations resumed early Saturday morning with assistance from the army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) stationed in Manna. According to officials, the search teams successfully rescued 14 more workers, while eight remain trapped under the snow. These workers have now been stuck for more than 24 hours.
Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that three critically injured workers, who were rescued on Friday, were airlifted to the ITBP hospital in Manna for initial medical treatment. Later, they were transported to the Jyotirmath Army Hospital for further medical care. Tiwari expressed hope that the ongoing rescue operation would accelerate, given the improved weather conditions.
Chief Minister Likely to Visit Chamoli
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is expected to visit the avalanche-hit site to assess the situation. According to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, the trapped workers hail from various states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. The authority has also released a list of 10 workers, although their respective states have not been specified.
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman stated on Friday that more than 65 personnel have been deployed in the rescue mission. Manna, located approximately three kilometers from Badrinath, is the last village on the India-Tibet border, situated at an altitude of 3,200 meters.
Challenging Rescue Operations in Extreme Conditions
The rescue operation in Chamoli has been extremely challenging due to adverse weather conditions. Heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, and difficult terrain have posed significant obstacles for the rescue teams. Despite these challenges, the combined efforts of the army, ITBP, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other emergency responders have ensured that many lives were saved.
On Friday, when the avalanche struck, many of the workers were engaged in construction and maintenance activities under the BRO. As the avalanche hit, several workers got buried under massive layers of snow, making it difficult for rescuers to locate and extract them immediately. The teams used specialized equipment, including thermal imaging devices, to detect trapped individuals under the snow.
Government Response and Aid
The Uttarakhand government has mobilized all necessary resources to expedite the rescue operations. Chief Minister Dhami has directed officials to ensure that the best possible medical care is provided to the injured workers. Relief teams are on standby to provide immediate assistance to survivors and their families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been briefed on the situation, and they have assured all possible assistance from the central government. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been alerted and kept on standby in case additional support is required.
Survivors’ Ordeal
Many of the rescued workers have recounted their horrifying experience of being trapped under the snow. Survivors described how they struggled to breathe and stay warm in the freezing conditions. Some were fortunate to be in pockets of air, which allowed them to survive until rescuers arrived. Others suffered from hypothermia and required immediate medical attention.
One of the rescued workers, Ramesh Kumar from Bihar, stated that he and his colleagues were working near the BRO camp when the avalanche struck. “There was a loud noise, and within seconds, everything was covered in snow. I was buried but managed to keep a small air pocket to breathe. I prayed that someone would find me,” he said.
Another survivor, Devendra Singh from Uttarakhand, credited the rescue teams for their swift action. “We were trapped for hours. It was terrifying. I lost hope at one point, but the rescue team reached us just in time,” he shared.
Next Steps in the Rescue Operation
Authorities are now focusing on locating the remaining eight missing workers. Specialized search teams equipped with sniffer dogs, radar equipment, and drones are scanning the area for any signs of life. With the weather clearing up, officials are optimistic that the remaining workers will be found soon.
Meanwhile, the government is assessing the overall impact of the avalanche and working on measures to prevent such disasters in the future. Experts are studying the causes of the avalanche, including recent weather patterns, to determine if climate change played a role in triggering the disaster.
The avalanche in Chamoli has once again highlighted the dangers faced by workers in high-altitude regions. While the swift response by rescue teams has saved many lives, the tragedy underscores the need for enhanced safety measures for workers in such environments.
With the rescue operation still underway, families of the missing workers continue to wait anxiously for news. The hope remains that all trapped workers will be found and brought to safety soon. The Uttarakhand government, along with central agencies, is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that every possible effort is made to bring this rescue mission to a successful conclusion.
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