A devastating avalanche triggered by a glacier breaking in the Mana region of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on Friday, has caused widespread destruction. The incident resulted in significant damage to a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp, with 22 workers still missing.
Chamoli: A devastating avalanche triggered by a glacier breaking in the Mana region of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on Friday, has caused widespread destruction. The incident resulted in significant damage to a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp, with 22 workers still missing. Rescue teams have so far safely rescued 33 individuals. Army and ITBP teams resumed rescue operations on Saturday morning.
Adverse Weather Complicates Situation, 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 is most critical in Chamoli district, where many villages are completely covered in snow.
Continuous snowfall and rainfall have blocked many important roads. The Badrinath Highway is closed near Hanuman Chatti due to snowfall, while the Oli-Joshimath road is also obstructed in several places. The Niti-Malari highway is completely blocked after Vapkund. Following the clearing of the weather on Saturday morning, Army and ITBP resumed rescue efforts. Soldiers deployed at Badrinath Dham are also involved in search and rescue operations. Specialized search equipment is being used to locate the missing workers.
Power Outage, 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 at Yamunotri Dham, while the possibility of up to four feet of snow has been predicted in Gangotri. Communication has also been disrupted in many villages in the area. In light of the Chamoli incident, AIIMS Rishikesh administration is on high alert. A helicopter ambulance and medical personnel have been deployed 24/7 at the hospital. A team of specialist doctors is on standby at the trauma center to provide rapid treatment to the injured in any emergency.
Appeal by Local Administration
The district administration has appealed to the public to avoid traveling to high-altitude areas and to take the weather department's warnings seriously. The administration is trying to expedite rescue and relief efforts. All government agencies are engaged in relief work, focusing on the deteriorating situation in Chamoli district. Rescue teams are making every effort to locate the missing workers, while efforts are also underway to deliver relief materials to the affected villages.
