Uttarakhand Government Launches Magisterial Inquiry into Mana Avalanche
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Synopsis
The Uttarakhand government has ordered a comprehensive magisterial investigation into the avalanche in Mana that tragically took eight lives. The inquiry aims to explore every detail of the incident and gather public testimonies.
Key Takeaways
- Magisterial probe initiated by Uttarakhand government.
- Investigation into February 28 avalanche in Mana.
- Eight workers lost their lives, 46 rescued.
- Public testimonies encouraged for the inquiry.
- Rescue efforts involved over 200 personnel.
New Delhi, March 4 (NationPress) The Uttarakhand government has initiated a thorough magisterial investigation into the catastrophic avalanche that occurred in Mana on February 28, which tragically took the lives of eight border road construction workers and resulted in the rescue of 46 others.
Chamoli district magistrate, Sandeep Tiwari, has appointed Jyotirmath sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Chandra Shekhar Vashishth to spearhead the inquiry, with a provisional deadline of 15 days for the report's submission. However, Tiwari noted that this timeline could extend to a month.
Tiwari stressed that the investigation would examine every aspect of the unfortunate event, including possible preventive actions that could have lessened the impact. He also encouraged public input, asking individuals to step forward and provide their accounts during the investigation.
The perilous avalanche struck the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp located between Mana and Mana Pass early on Friday morning, burying workers who were resting in containers and a shed. These individuals were involved in a significant road project linking Mana, the last Indian village, to Mana Pass along the China border.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, 36 of the 46 rescued individuals were reported stable and ready for discharge. Eight others received care at the army hospital in Jyotirmath, while two were admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh.
The rescue operation, which wrapped up on Sunday, engaged more than 200 personnel from multiple organizations, including the Army, ITBP (Indian Tibetan Border Police), BRO (Border Roads Organisation), NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF (State Disaster Relief Force), and state agencies.
The search and rescue missions encountered severe challenges due to harsh weather conditions, including difficult terrain, heavy snowfall, minimal visibility, and freezing temperatures at an altitude of around 3,200 meters.
By Friday night, 33 workers had been rescued despite the adverse conditions. The operation was paused due to darkness and resumed on Saturday morning as the weather improved, leading to the rescue of 17 additional individuals, although four sadly lost their lives due to their injuries.
On Sunday, four bodies were recovered, raising the total death toll to eight, with victims originating from Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The remains of seven victims have been dispatched to their respective hometowns.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who conducted an aerial survey of the impacted area on Saturday, praised the rescue teams for their commendable efforts in saving 46 workers.
He underscored the mobilization of all available resources, including advanced technology and equipment like ground-penetrating radar, to accelerate the rescue operations. Dhami also highlighted the necessity of providing adequate medical attention to all rescued workers.
In light of the increased avalanche threat during February and March, Dhami's administration has issued a warning advising the relocation of workers from higher Himalayan regions to safer areas.
