A day after a devastating avalanche struck a high-altitude Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Badrinath, four injured labourers succumbed to their injuries, the Indian Army confirmed on Saturday. Rescue operations remain underway to locate and save the remaining trapped personnel.
The avalanche, which struck at 7:15 AM, buried 55 workers inside eight containers and one shed while they were engaged in clearing snow to facilitate army movement near the Indo-Tibetan border. So far, 40 individuals have been rescued, with 23 airlifted to Joshimath for critical medical care. Six helicopters have been deployed for evacuation efforts, with priority given to the injured.
The Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade, along with over 100 personnel, including doctors and emergency teams, is leading the search operation. “With slight respite in the weather, three injured personnel were evacuated from Mana to Joshimath for critical medical care through Indian Army-hired civil helicopters,” the Indian Army stated. However, heavy snowfall, seven feet deep in some areas, and the threat of further avalanches have complicated rescue efforts.
By the end of the first day, 33 workers had been rescued, while 17 more were saved on Day 2. The remaining five trapped workers are still being located, with teams working cautiously due to subsequent small-scale avalanches. Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman acknowledged the difficulties posed by extreme weather conditions.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the rescue efforts and remains in constant communication with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister assured full central government support in managing the emergency and aiding the affected workers, who hail from multiple states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir
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