Uttarakhand Avalanche: A tragic avalanche struck near Mana village, close to Badrinath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, on Friday. The avalanche hit a Border Roads Organization (BRO) camp, leading to the disappearance of four laborers. In response, search operations were launched using sniffer dogs, thermal imaging cameras, and helicopters. By Sunday, three of the missing workers’ bodies were recovered during the ongoing rescue efforts.
Death Toll Rises to Seven
According to local administration officials in Gopeshwar, three more bodies were recovered from the avalanche site, while the search for one missing worker is still ongoing. With these latest recoveries, the total death toll from the disaster has now reached seven.
Post-Mortem of Recovered Bodies Underway
Following Friday’s incident, 50 laborers were successfully rescued, but four of them succumbed to their injuries on Saturday. The bodies recovered on Sunday were transported via helicopter to Jyotirmath, where a post-mortem examination is being conducted at the Community Health Center.
Identification of the Deceased Workers
Authorities have identified the three workers whose bodies were recovered from the avalanche site. They are:
- Anil Kumar (21) from Rudrapur, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand.
- Ashok (28) from Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Hermesh Chand (30) from Una, Himachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the search continues for Arvind (43), who remains missing. Arvind is reported to be a resident of the Clement Town area in Dehradun.
54 Workers Trapped in Ice
The avalanche occurred at an altitude of approximately 3,200 meters in Mana, the last village near the India-China border. At the time of the disaster, 54 workers were trapped in eight containers used as shelters by the BRO. Initially, officials reported that 55 workers were affected, but it was later confirmed that one worker had safely reached his home in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, reducing the count to 54.
Rescue Efforts and Challenges
Search and rescue operations were launched immediately, involving teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and BRO. Helicopters, drones, and thermal imaging cameras have been deployed to locate the missing workers. Extreme cold, harsh weather conditions, and deep snow have made the rescue operations challenging.
BRO and Local Administration’s Response
The BRO and local authorities have been actively involved in the rescue mission, ensuring that the injured receive medical attention and that the bodies of the deceased are properly handled. Families of the victims are being contacted, and necessary support is being provided.
The tragic avalanche in Mana village near Badrinath has claimed seven lives so far, with one worker still missing. The BRO, along with other agencies, continues to conduct search and rescue operations in challenging weather conditions. The incident highlights the risks faced by workers in high-altitude, avalanche-prone regions and the importance of preparedness and swift response in such natural disasters.
Further updates on the missing worker and ongoing rescue efforts will be provided as the situation unfolds.
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