Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday regarding an avalanche in Chamoli district that trapped 57 workers, 16 of whom have been rescued. He also contacted the directors general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) about evacuation efforts.
In a post on X, Shah emphasized that the government’s priority is the safe evacuation of those trapped. He noted, “Spoke to Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Dhami ji, DG ITBP, and DG NDRF regarding the glacier burst in Chamoli. Our priority is to safely evacuate the people trapped in the accident.” He affirmed that local authorities are fully engaged in the rescue operations.
The avalanche, which struck in the morning, involved workers from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) who were constructing a road near Mana village in Badrinath. According to police spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharne, 10 of the 57 workers have been rescued as efforts continue.
"A massive avalanche impacted the BRO camp in Mana, trapping 57 workers," Bharne told ANI. "Out of these, 10 have been rescued in critical condition and are being treated at the Army camp nearby."
BRO Executive Engineer CR Meena reported that while the rescue operation is ongoing, heavy snowfall is complicating their efforts. "Three to four ambulances have been dispatched, but heavy snowfall is hindering access," he explained.
The Indian Army’s Central Command stated that the avalanche struck a GREF Camp near Mana, with several workers feared trapped. Despite ongoing snowfall and minor avalanches, the Army’s IBEX Brigade has initiated rescue operations, successfully rescuing 10 personnel who are receiving medical aid.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that relief operations by ITBP, BRO, and other teams are underway. "Sad news has come in about workers trapped under the avalanche during BRO's construction work near Mana. I pray for the safety of all laborers," he posted on X.