A massive avalanche triggered by a glacier break in the Mana area of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on Friday, caused widespread devastation. The incident severely damaged a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp, leaving 22 laborers missing.
Chamoli: A massive avalanche triggered by a glacier break in the Mana area of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on Friday, caused widespread devastation. The incident severely damaged a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp, leaving 22 laborers missing. Rescue teams have so far recovered 33 people. Army and ITBP teams resumed rescue operations on Saturday morning.
Weather Exacerbates Difficulties, Warnings Issued
Heavy snowfall and avalanche warnings have been issued for Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts of Uttarakhand. According to the meteorological department, light to moderate snowfall is expected in areas above 2500 meters. The situation remains most critical in Chamoli district, where several villages are completely covered in snow.
Numerous vital routes have been blocked due to continuous snowfall and rainfall. The Badrinath highway is closed near Hanuman Chatti due to snowfall, while the Auli-Joshimath route is also disrupted at several points. The Niti-Malari highway is completely blocked beyond Bhapkhund. Following the clearing of weather on Saturday morning, the Army and ITBP resumed rescue efforts. Soldiers deployed in Badrinath Dham have also been engaged in search and relief operations. Specialized search equipment is being used to locate the missing laborers.
Power Supply Disrupted, Severe Crisis in Villages
Power supply has been disrupted in a total of 48 villages in the Gangotri and Yamunotri valleys. A thick layer of snow has accumulated in Yamunotri Dham, while four feet of snowfall is anticipated in Gangotri. Communication services have also been affected in several villages in the region. In light of the incident in Chamoli, the AIIMS Rishikesh administration is on high alert. A heli-ambulance and medical staff have been deployed 24/7 at the hospital. A team of specialist doctors is on standby in the trauma center to provide prompt treatment to any casualties.
Appeal by Local Administration
The district administration has appealed to the public to avoid high-altitude areas and to take weather warnings seriously. The administration is striving to expedite rescue and relief efforts. Given the deteriorating situation in Chamoli district, all government agencies are engaged in relief operations. Rescue teams are making every effort to locate the missing laborers, while the delivery of relief supplies to affected villages is also underway.
