Chamoli Avalanche: Ongoing Rescue Mission for Four Missing Workers

Chamoli, March 2 (NationPress) Rescue operations have resumed in Uttarakhand's Mana region as favorable weather conditions have allowed search teams to enhance their efforts for the four missing workers trapped following an avalanche that struck Chamoli. Helicopters have been deployed to support the ongoing rescue mission.

The avalanche, which impacted Mana village on Friday night, initially trapped 55 workers. Thanks to the prompt and coordinated actions of security forces, including the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), 46 individuals were successfully rescued. Unfortunately, four workers lost their lives in this tragic event.

In an update regarding the operations, Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari remarked, "The operation has resumed. Four individuals remain unaccounted for, and the search is ongoing. Helicopter rescue operations have restarted from the Jyotirmath helipad due to improved weather conditions."

He noted that security forces, including the Army and ITBP, have been stationed at the avalanche site since early morning. "We are hopeful that the workers will be found soon," Tiwari added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been closely monitoring the situation, with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami overseeing the rescue operations and providing necessary directives.

Of the five workers initially reported missing, one, identified as Sunil Kumar from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, has safely returned home. The remaining four are still unaccounted for, prompting extensive search operations utilizing sniffer dogs and aerial surveillance.

Chief Minister Dhami has been receiving regular updates from Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari.

He has ordered a comprehensive search to locate the missing workers, reaffirming the state's commitment to rescue and relief operations.

On Sunday, advanced search technology such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), thermal imaging cameras, and victim location cameras will be employed to bolster detection efforts.

Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman reported that 24 workers were moved from the Army hospital in Mana to Joshimath for medical attention.

Among them, two critically injured workers were referred to AIIMS Rishikesh. One has already been admitted, while arrangements are underway for the second patient. Tragically, one worker has succumbed to injuries in Joshimath.

The District Magistrate has directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to reach out to the families of the missing workers for further support. While contacting Sunil Kumar's family in Kangra, officials confirmed his safe return home.

Rescue teams, under the guidance of both state and central governments, are resolute in their efforts to locate the remaining workers. By late Saturday evening, eight containers buried under the avalanche were discovered, but no workers were found inside.

The avalanche occurred between 5:30 and 6:00 AM on Friday, engulfing a worker's camp situated between Mana and Badrinath. A total of 55 workers, employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), were buried beneath the snow inside eight containers and a shed.

The Indian Army and paramilitary forces promptly initiated rescue efforts, managing to save 33 workers by Friday evening. Chief Minister Dhami took immediate action, overseeing relief operations from the State Emergency Operations Center of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA).

The extensive rescue operation has involved 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. However, adverse weather, snowfall, and darkness temporarily hindered operations.

On Saturday morning, with improved weather conditions, the Indian Army and ITBP resumed their search. District Disaster Management Officer N.K. Joshi led the renewed mission. The rescue operations involved six helicopters—three from the Indian Army Aviation, two from the Indian Air Force, and one civil helicopter.

The Indian Army also utilized a drone-based Intelligent Buried Object Detection system, provided by the Indian Air Force, to assist in locating trapped individuals in the avalanche-affected area.

Military officials, including Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta and Lt. Gen. D.G. Mishra, visited the site to oversee operations. Lt. Gen. Sengupta reported that the Badrinath-Joshimath highway remains blocked at several points due to heavy snow, restricting movement.

Chief Minister Dhami visited the affected area near Mana to evaluate the rescue and relief efforts. He interacted with the evacuated workers and received comprehensive briefings from military and administrative officials involved in the mission.

In a post on X, he assured that the government remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of those impacted by the disaster.

The ongoing rescue operations continue to confront challenges, including rugged terrain and severe weather conditions, but the unwavering efforts of the teams have provided hope. No further casualties have been reported, and the focus remains on locating the missing workers.

In response to the disaster, Chief Minister Dhami conducted an aerial survey, ensuring the swift mobilization of resources. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also personally communicated with Dhami, pledging full support from the central government for the rescue mission.