Army rescues 47 from Uttarakhand avalanche, 5 still trapped; PM Modi assures support

Rescue operations continue in Uttarakhand’s Badrinath region after an avalanche struck a high-altitude Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana village. At least four injured labourers have succumbed to their injuries, while five remain trapped under heavy snow, the Indian Army confirmed on Saturday. The operation, involving six helicopters and over 100 personnel, has already saved 47 workers from extreme conditions.

The avalanche buried 55 workers in eight containers and a shed at around 7:15 AM on Friday, while they were engaged in clearing snow for army movement. The Indian Army, in collaboration with the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and disaster response teams, is using all available resources to locate and evacuate the remaining individuals. However, seven feet of snow, ongoing snowfall, and the risk of smaller avalanches are slowing progress.

Rescue operations were halted overnight due to poor visibility and adverse conditions but resumed early Saturday. By the end of Day 1, 33 workers had been safely evacuated, followed by 17 more on Day 2. Indian Army spokesperson Lt Col Manish Shrivastava emphasized that injured personnel are being prioritized for evacuation to Joshimath for critical medical care. Three critically injured workers were airlifted using civil helicopters as weather conditions improved slightly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are closely monitoring the situation. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has been in constant touch with authorities and assured that every possible effort is being made to rescue the remaining trapped workers. He also informed PM Modi about the ground situation, following which the central government assured full support in dealing with the crisis.

The workers trapped in the avalanche belong to multiple states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. The BRO, known for constructing and maintaining strategic roads in high-altitude areas, plays a crucial role in army logistics and national security. This incident highlights the extreme conditions under which these workers operate.

Despite heavy snowfall, the Army, ITBP, NDRF, and local authorities are working in coordination to clear snow-laden roads and facilitate the movement of additional medical aid. Union Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal confirmed that efforts to reach the remaining workers inside the last three containers are ongoing. With extreme caution and determination, rescuers are battling against time to ensure no lives are lost.