Around 32 out of 57 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers trapped under an avalanche in Uttarakhand have been successfully rescued. Many of the rescued workers are in critical condition and have been transferred to an Army camp near Mana for urgent medical attention.
Rescue operations are ongoing with assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Army. However, weather conditions are complicating the rescue efforts.
The workers were performing road construction work near Mana village in the Badrinath area when the avalanche struck earlier in the day, burying them under heavy snow.
Due to heavy snowfall, the rescue teams are facing challenges in reaching the site. According to reports, three to four ambulances have also been dispatched, but the weather conditions are making it difficult to transport personnel.
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The avalanche followed an alert issued by the Lahaul and Spiti Police on Thursday, warning of possible avalanche risks in the region. The advisory, issued by the Directorate General of Resilience and Emergency (DGRE) and the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), urged locals and travelers to stay on designated safe routes, citing a danger level 3 (Orange) avalanche warning.
Medium-sized avalanches were expected on extreme slopes, increasing the risk to workers in the area.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern over the incident. In a post on ‘X,’ he said, “Sad news has been received about many workers being buried under snow due to an avalanche during construction work conducted by BRO near Mana village. Relief and rescue work is being carried out by ITBP, BRO, and other teams. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the labour brothers.”