- विज्ञापन -
Chamoli: Rescue efforts have resumed in the Mana region of Uttarakhand as improved weather conditions now allow teams to intensify their search for four workers who are still missing after an avalanche struck Chamoli. Helicopters have been deployed to support the ongoing rescue operations.
The avalanche occurred on Friday night in Mana village, initially trapping 55 workers. Thanks to the swift coordination of security forces, including the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), 46 workers have been rescued. Unfortunately, four workers lost their lives in the incident.
Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari provided an update on the operation, stating, “The search has resumed, and four individuals are still unaccounted for. Helicopter rescue operations have restarted from the Jyotirmath helipad as weather conditions have improved.” Security forces, including the Army and ITBP, are present at the avalanche site. Tiwari expressed hope that the missing workers will be found soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are closely monitoring the situation, with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spearheading the rescue efforts and giving necessary directives.
Of the initially missing five workers, one—Sunil Kumar from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh—has safely returned home. Intensive search operations continue for the remaining four missing workers, utilizing sniffer dogs and aerial surveillance.
Chief Minister Dhami is receiving constant updates from Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and District Magistrate Tiwari. He has committed to an exhaustive search for the missing workers to ensure their rescue and support.
Advanced search technologies, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), thermal imaging cameras, and victim location cameras, will be deployed on Sunday to enhance detection efforts.
Vinod Kumar Suman reported that 24 workers were transferred from the Army hospital in Mana to Joshimath for medical treatment, with two critically injured workers sent to AIIMS Rishikesh. Tragically, one worker has already succumbed to injuries sustained in Joshimath.
The District Magistrate has instructed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to assist the families of the missing workers. Officials confirmed that Sunil Kumar’s family has been contacted to assure them of his safety upon his return home.
Rescue teams, following directives from both state and central governments, remain determined to locate the missing workers. By Saturday evening, eight containers buried in the avalanche were found, though no workers were inside.
The avalanche struck between 5:30 and 6:00 AM on Friday, engulfing a worker’s camp situated between Mana and Badrinath. The workers, employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), were buried in eight containers and a shed.
The Indian Army and paramilitary forces quickly initiated rescue operations, managing to save 33 workers by Friday evening. Chief Minister Dhami took immediate charge of the relief operations from the State Emergency Operations Center of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA).
The extensive rescue operations involve multiple agencies, including the Army, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, BRO, Health Department, local administrative bodies, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), and the Indian Air Force. Operations faced interruptions due to adverse weather, snowfall, and darkness.
With improved weather conditions on Saturday morning, the Indian Army and ITBP resumed their search efforts. District Disaster Management Officer N.K. Joshi leads the renewed mission, which now includes six helicopters—three from the Indian Army Aviation, two from the Indian Air Force, and one civil helicopter.
A drone-based Intelligent Buried Object Detection system from the Indian Air Force was also deployed to help locate individuals trapped in the avalanche.
Military officials overseeing the operations, including Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta and Lt. Gen. D.G. Mishra, reported that heavy snow is blocking the Badrinath-Joshimath highway at several points, complicating movements.
Chief Minister Dhami personally checked the affected area near Mana to oversee the rescue and relief efforts, interacting with evacuated workers and receiving updates from military and administrative officials.
In a message on X, he assured ongoing government support for those affected by the disaster.
Despite the challenging terrain and severe weather hindering the ongoing rescue efforts, teams remain hopeful. No further casualties have been reported, and efforts continue to locate the missing workers.
Following the disaster, Chief Minister Dhami conducted an aerial survey to ensure rapid resource mobilization. Prime Minister Modi has pledged full support from the central government for the rescue mission.
