25 workers missing after avalanche hits BRO camp in Chamoli district; 32 rescued

By 5:00 pm, 32 people had been rescued safely. The process of evacuating the remaining 25 people is in progress. Relief and rescue work is going on on a war footing to rescue people trapped in the avalanche 6 km ahead of Badrinath Dham in Chamoli district."

Speaking about the Chamoli Avalanche, Uttarakhand Disaster Management Department said

Our focus is on rescuing the maximum number of people. The Home Minister has given clear directions to save every life,

Anand said

It has been snowing with strong winds... The roads are completely blocked. We have deployed snow cutters to open the road,

he told broadcaster NDTV

Rescue teams ... So far, 15 workers are safe while 42 are missing."

Ridhim Agarwal of the state disaster relief force said in a statement, adding

Rescue mission is underway. Due to inclement weather, helicopter service cannot be used. We are trying to rescue the labourers. The offices of the PM and home minister are in touch with us,

he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI

Rescued persons have been admitted to ITBP hospital in Mana,

he added

Visibility is low and choppers can’t fly into the area…. The area is receiving heavy snowfall and rain, which is hampering the rescue efforts,

he said

The team is working relentlessly in challenging conditions to conduct search and rescue operations to rescue the trapped people. A specialised medical team comprising two doctors and four ambulances have also been deployed there…. The operation remains ongoing, with all resources focused on saving lives,

he said

Spoke to Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Dhami ji, DG ITBP, and DG NDRF regarding the glacier burst in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Our priority is to safely evacuate the people trapped in the accident,

he said

Additional troops and equipment are being staged forward to the location,

the Indian army’s Central Command announced

The rescue operation is being hampered due to heavy snowfall, and the team is facing difficulties. Three to four ambulances have also been sent, but due to heavy snowfall, the rescue team is facing difficulties in reaching there."

BRO Executive Engineer CR Meena acknowledged the challenges, saying

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An unfortunate avalanche has occurred in the Mana area of Joshimath (Uttarakhand) today impacting the GREF camp of BRO. Spoke to CM Shri @pushkardhami regarding the situation. The administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected. Rescue efforts by local Army units are also underway. All efforts to rescue the trapped personnel are being undertaken by utilising all available resources."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also wrote

Information about an avalanche has been received. Around 57 labourers of BRO (Border Roads Organisation), who undertake snow-clearing operations, had camped there. Our teams have been mobilised - ITBP, SDRF and Administration. There is active rainfall and snowfall activities there. So, we are unable to deploy heli-services. Movement is difficult,

Tiwari said

A team of the SDRF has left from Joshimath but due to road blockage in Lambagad, the process of opening the route by contacting the Army is underway. The second team has been kept on alert at Sahasradhara helipad. Exact coordinates of the area have been obtained. As soon as the weather conditions improve, the high-altitude rescue team of SDRF will be dropped by helicopter at the nearest available place."

State Disaster Response Force Inspector General of Police Ridhim Agarwal said

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57 of the BRO workers were trapped in the avalanche, out of which 16 workers have been rescued. All preparations have been made. We are taking help from the ITBP. The district administration and all others are in touch, and we are trying to rescue all as soon as possible."

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the latest figures, stating

Since satellite phones and other such equipment are not available there, we have not been able to have a clear communication with them. But we have not received any official information of any casualty...We are receiving full support from higher authorities. We hope that our team will reach there and rescue them safely,

he stated

These labourers do regular snow clearing work on the route for army movement towards the Tibet border... As of now we have no news of any casualty. Rescue teams have been mobilised. But due to active snowfall and rain in the area, rescue work is slow,

DM Sandeep Tiwari was quoted as saying by PTI

Our disaster management department and the entire administration is fully alert,

the chief minister told reporters

According to the DGRE and HPSDMA, there is a snow avalanche warning (Danger Level 3, Orange) in District Lahaul and Spiti up to 28th February 2025 (1700 hrs. IST) (enclosed). According to the advisory, medium-size avalanche triggering is possible on few extreme slopes and restriction of movement to only safe routes is advised

the release read

We received information around 8am that an avalanche had struck the Mana area. Some workers employed by a contractor were engaged in road construction. We do not have the exact headcount at this time. 12 people have been rescued, some of whom have sustained injuries, but the extent of their injuries is unclear. They are currently receiving treatment.”

Colonel Ankur Mahajan, Commander of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), said