Uttarakhand Avalanche: CM Dhami Leads Rescue Efforts as 32 Workers Saved, 25 Still Trapped

A massive avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) labour camp in Mana village, Uttarakhand, early on Friday morning, trapping 57 workers under the snow. Since then, a massive multi-agency rescue operation has been underway to bring the trapped workers to safety. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken swift action, closely monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts with central agencies to ensure a successful rescue operation.

CM Dhami's Swift Response and On-Ground Coordination

Immediately after the avalanche hit at around 7:15 AM, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami swung into action, ensuring that all available resources were deployed to rescue the trapped workers. He has been in constant touch with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister's Office, and the Defence Ministry, seeking real-time updates and additional reinforcements.

Reassuring the people of Uttarakhand, CM Dhami stated, ''57 of the BRO workers were trapped in the avalanche, out of which 32 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."

Massive Multi-Agency Rescue Operation Underway

Following CM Dhami's directive, multiple agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Indian Army, have been mobilized to carry out the rescue operations.

The Garhwal 9th Brigade and BRO are leading the ground efforts, clearing snow and debris to reach those still trapped.
The Ibex Brigade of the Indian Army has deployed over 100 personnel, including doctors, ambulances, and heavy machinery.
An SDRF team from Joshimath is on-site, while another team in Dehradun is on standby, ready for an airlift if necessary.

Union Home Minister Assures Full Support

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in a post on X that he has spoken to CM Dhami and the Director Generals of ITBP and NDRF to assess the situation. Shah emphasised that rescuing those trapped remains the highest priority, and all necessary measures are being taken.

The Indian Air Force is on high alert, ready to deploy additional resources as soon as weather conditions permit aerial support.

Challenges in Rescue Operations

The rescue teams are facing several challenges, including:

- Extreme cold and heavy snow accumulation, making it difficult to access some areas.

- Low visibility, which has prevented the use of helicopters for aerial rescue.

-Avalanche-prone terrain, making operations dangerous for rescuers.

However, trained mountain rescue personnel, specialized snow-clearing equipment, and expert mountaineers have been deployed to tackle these challenges.

Uttarakhand has witnessed several natural calamities in the past, including landslides, floods, and avalanches. Under CM Dhami's leadership, disaster preparedness and response have been significantly strengthened, ensuring that timely interventions minimise loss of life.