EM Reporter
Chamoli Avalanche Rescue: 55 Workers Trapped Near Mana Village
Chamoli, Uttarakhand – A massive avalanche struck a highway construction site near Mana village in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on February 29, 2025, trapping 55 workers under snow and debris. The calamity occurred at a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) labor camp following heavy snowfall in the region. Rescue operations are underway as authorities race against time to locate and save the trapped workers amidst extreme weather conditions.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Indian Army ,National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)have been deployed to conduct search and rescue missions. So far, 50 workers have been rescued, while four have been confirmed dead. Efforts are continuing to locate the remaining five missing workers, with helicopters, drones, and ground teams working tirelessly despite challenging terrain and low visibility.
The operation has been hindered by persistent snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, and the remote location of the incident. According to officials, high-tech thermal imaging devices and sniffer dogs are being used to detect signs of life beneath the snow. The BRO, responsible for constructing the road infrastructure in the region, has also deployed heavy machinery to clear the debris.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured full government support for rescue efforts and has directed officials to provide immediate medical assistance to the rescued workers. The state administration has set up emergency helplines for families of the victims to receive updates.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also expressed deep concern over the incident and has instructed central agencies to assist in the rescue mission. “The safety and well-being of every trapped worker is our top priority. All necessary resources are being mobilized,” he said.
The Mana region in Chamoli is known for its vulnerability to avalanches, flash floods, and landslides due to its high-altitude terrain and extreme weather conditions. Experts cite climate change as a significant factor contributing to increased incidents of avalanches and glacial melts in the region.
This is not the first time Chamoli has witnessed a natural disaster. In 2021, a glacier burst in the Rishi Ganga River triggered a flash flood, causing over 200 fatalities and widespread destruction of hydropower projects. Similarly, in 2022, an avalanche claimed the lives of 27 trainee mountaineers in Uttarakhand.
Despite the swift response from disaster management teams, several factors are complicating the rescue operation:
Among the rescued workers, many have shared harrowing accounts of their survival. One of the survivors, recounted, “We were resting in the temporary sheds when suddenly everything turned dark. The snow buried us completely, and we could barely breathe. I thought I wouldn’t make it out alive.”
Several rescued workers have been hospitalized for hypothermia and injuries, while psychological counseling is also being provided to help them cope with the trauma.
Following this disaster, authorities are being urged to implement stronger safety measures for workers engaged in high-altitude construction projects. Experts suggest the following steps:
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on bringing all missing workers to safety. The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with development in ecologically sensitive zones and the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure planning.
Authorities, along with local communities, are coming together to provide support to the affected families. The resilience of rescue teams and the unwavering efforts of disaster response forces give hope that every trapped worker will be found and brought back safely.
To understand the process of occurance of avalanches you can read the aticle in Emergency Manager magazine titled" How Avalanches Occure?"
#ChamoliAvalancheescue #UttarakhandAvalanche2025 #SearchRescueOperations
