An avalanche struck Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, reportedly trapping 57 workers at a Border Roads Organisation site in Mana village. 16 workers were rescued safely; a rescue operation is currently underway, confirmed PTI.
An avalanche struck Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, reportedly trapping 57 workers in Mana village. 16 workers were rescued safely, rescue operation is currently underway.
An avalanche struck Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, reportedly trapping 57 workers at a Border Roads Organisation site in Mana village. 16 workers were rescued safely; a rescue operation is currently underway, confirmed PTI.
Forty-one BRO labourers working to clear snow near the high altitude border village of Mana in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district were trapped under an avalanche on Friday.
The avalanche buried a camp of the Border Roads Organisation between Mana and Badrinath, Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said as multiple teams battled tough terrain, heavy snow and rain to rescue the workers. There was no immediate news of any casualties.
Police Headquarters spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharne told ANI, "A massive avalanche has occurred near the Border Roads Organisation camp in the border area of Mana in which 57 workers engaged in road construction have been trapped. Out of these workers, 10 workers have been rescued and sent to the army camp near Mana in critical condition."
Meanwhile, BRO (Border Roads Organisation) Executive Engineer CR Meena said that 57 workers were present at the spot. Three to four ambulances have also been sent, but due to heavy snowfall, the rescue team is facing difficulties in reaching there.CM Pushkar Singh Dhami tweeted, “Sad news was received about many workers being buried under avalanche during the construction work being carried out by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by ITBP, BRO and other rescue teams. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the labour brothers.”
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami tweeted, "Sad news was received about many workers being buried under avalanche during the construction work being carried out by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by ITBP, BRO and other rescue teams. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the labour brothers."
Citing SDRF officials, The Indian Express,reported the avalanche took place close to the Badrinath Dham. Officials said the Disaster Control Room, Chamoli, first received information about the avalanche and the SDRF commandant ordered immediate action.
High-altitude rescue teams at the Gauchar and Sahastradhara (Dehradun) posts have also been put on standby, the SDRF said.
The avalanche buried a camp of the Border Roads Organisation between Mana and Badrinath, Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said as quoted by Press Trust of India.
The road to the affected area is also closed due to the avalanche and heavy snowfall, impeding rescue and relief operations.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), district administration, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams are on the spot.
Mana is the last village on the India-Tibet border at a height of 3,200 metres.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several hilly regions, including Uttarakhand, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall of up to 20 cm until late Friday night.
The IMD has forecast localised flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and closure of underpasses, mainly in urban areas, due to heavy rains.
Heavy rains are expected to cause occasional poor visibility, increased travel times due to traffic disruptions, and minor damage to unpaved roads.