Rescue Operations Resume for 4 Missing Workers Following Chamoli Avalanche

Chamoli- Search and rescue operations have intensified in Uttarakhand's Mana region as improved weather conditions allow teams to continue their efforts to locate four workers still missing after Friday's avalanche. Helicopter support has been deployed to aid in the mission.

The avalanche that struck Mana village on Friday night initially trapped 55 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers. Through coordinated efforts by multiple agencies including the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), 46 workers were successfully rescued. Tragically, four workers have been confirmed dead.

"The operation has resumed. Four people are still missing, and the search for them is underway. Heli rescue operations have resumed from the Jyotirmath helipad as weather conditions have improved," said Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, expressing hope for a swift rescue.

Of the five initially reported missing workers, one—identified as Sunil Kumar from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh—has been confirmed to have safely returned home, leaving four still unaccounted for.

Advanced search technologies are being employed on Sunday, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), thermal imaging cameras, and victim location cameras to enhance detection efforts. The Indian Army has also deployed a drone-based Intelligent Buried Object Detection system brought in by the Indian Air Force.

Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman reported that 24 workers were transferred from the Army hospital in Mana to Joshimath for medical treatment. Two critically injured workers were referred to AIIMS Rishikesh, with one already admitted. Sadly, one worker has succumbed to injuries in Joshimath.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are closely monitoring the situation, while Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is personally leading the rescue efforts. Dhami visited the affected area to inspect operations and interact with evacuated workers.

The avalanche struck between 5:30 and 6:00 AM on Friday, burying a worker's camp located between Mana and Badrinath. Eight containers and a shed housing the workers were engulfed in snow. By Friday evening, rescue teams had saved 33 workers.

The massive rescue operation involves multiple agencies including six helicopters—three from Indian Army Aviation, two from the Indian Air Force, and one civil helicopter. Military officials, including Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta and Lt. Gen. D.G. Mishra, have visited the site to oversee operations.

Rescue efforts continue to face challenges from difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions, but teams remain determined to locate the missing workers as the search mission enters its third day.