A devastating avalanche occurred near Mana in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on Friday. Fifty-five laborers were buried under the snow; 50 have been rescued so far.
Chamoli: A devastating avalanche struck near Mana in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on Friday. This incident resulted in 55 laborers being buried under the snow. While 50 have been rescued, four laborers unfortunately perished, and five remain missing. Rescue and relief efforts have been expedited, with administration, army, and SDRF teams continuously engaged in rescue operations.
Rescue Operation Ongoing, Army Helicopters Deployed
Under the rescue operation, 46 laborers have been rescued to date. Two critically injured laborers have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced treatment. Indian Army, ITBP, and SDRF teams are involved in the rescue efforts, aided by six army helicopters.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the site to review the rescue and relief operations. He assured all possible assistance to the affected laborers and their families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Chief Minister Dhami over the phone, inquiring about the situation and assuring full support from the central government.
Avalanche Warning Issued for Five Uttarakhand Districts
Avalanche warnings have been issued for Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts. According to the meteorological department, Chamoli district faces the highest risk. Heavy snowfall has closed many roads, including the Gangotri Highway, causing significant inconvenience to locals. Over 40 villages in Chamoli district, including Shri Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib, Oli, and Jyotirmath, are snowbound.
Continuous rainfall and snowfall have disrupted normal life. Power supply has been disrupted in many areas, causing further hardship to the local population.
Rescue Efforts Accelerated, Search for Missing Laborers Continues
With the weather clearing on Saturday morning, rescue efforts have been intensified. Army and ITBP personnel are actively searching for the missing laborers. Relief supplies are also being airlifted. In anticipation of casualties, AIIMS Rishikesh has kept its helicopter ambulance and medical teams on 24-hour alert. A team of trauma specialists has also been placed on standby at the trauma center to provide immediate medical attention if needed.
Authorities have advised locals and tourists to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel. People have been instructed to stay away from avalanche-prone areas. Authorities stated that they are closely monitoring weather department updates and have teams deployed for any emergency situation.
