A devastating avalanche struck Chamoli district in Uttarakhand on Wednesday, trapping 57 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers under the snow. Ten workers have been rescued so far, and a large-scale rescue and relief operation is underway to rescue the remaining workers.
Accident in Mana Area, Rescue Efforts Hampered
The accident occurred in the Mana area of Chamoli district, where a BRO team was engaged in the construction of the Badrinath highway. A sudden avalanche buried dozens of workers under the snow. Heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions are significantly hindering the rescue and relief teams from reaching the site.
Teams from the Army, ITBP, SDRF, and NDRF have been dispatched to the site. However, heavy snowfall is obstructing rescue efforts. Chamoli's District Magistrate (DM), Sandeep Tiwari, stated that the glacier break has disrupted communication, making it difficult to contact the trapped workers.
Helicopter Operations Impossible
The heavy snowfall is also preventing helicopter operations. Consequently, the rescue teams are forced to proceed on foot and through other means. According to CR Meena, the Executive Engineer of BRO, ambulances have been dispatched to the site, but the adverse weather is making it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the location.
District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari has taken the incident seriously and instructed officials to remain on high alert. He mentioned that many roads have been closed due to snowfall and efforts are underway to restore them as quickly as possible.
No Confirmed Casualties Yet
No worker deaths have been officially confirmed yet. However, rescue efforts continue. Personnel from the Garhwal 9 Brigade and the BRO are working to expedite the rescue operation. Following the incident, the people of Chamoli are apprehensive, as avalanche incidents have been increasing in the past few days.
