A devastating avalanche struck a construction site in Mana village, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, near the India-Tibet border on Friday, February 28, 2025. The disaster buried 57 workers under snow and debris at a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp. Rescue operations are underway but are being severely hampered by harsh weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and strong winds.
Key Developments:
- Rescue Efforts:
- As of late Friday evening, 32 workers have been rescued, while at least 25 remain trapped under the snow137.
- Teams from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and BRO are conducting rescue operations24.
- Helicopters and snow removal equipment have been deployed but are largely ineffective due to poor visibility and blocked roads36.
- Injuries and Medical Response:
- Weather Challenges:
Background:
The workers were engaged in road construction projects overseen by the BRO when the avalanche struck. Avalanches and landslides are common in the Himalayan region during winter, exacerbated by climate change and increased development activities. This incident highlights ongoing risks in fragile mountain ecosystems.
Government Response:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep concern over the incident and is monitoring rescue operations closely. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured full support for the ongoing efforts. Despite these measures, rescuers face significant challenges due to extreme weather and difficult terrain45.
The situation remains critical as authorities race against time to locate and save the remaining trapped workers. Rescue operations are expected to resume at full capacity once weather conditions improve.
Citations:
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/28/avalanche-traps-42-workers-under-snow-near-india-tibet-border
- https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/over-50-workers-feared-trapped-in-uttarakhand-avalanche-rescue-efforts-on-7814365
- https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Feb/28/avalanche-strikes-bro-camp-in-uttarakhand-32-rescued-23-still-missing-rescue-halted-due-to-heavy-snowfall
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uttarakhand-badrinath-avalanche-news-live-updates-casualties-death-glacier-burst-cm-dhami/liveblog/118626887.cms
- https://tribune.com.pk/story/2531528/at-least-40-missing-after-avalanche-in-indias-himalayan-state-of-uttarkhand
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c36wwld19gzo
- https://www.dw.com/en/india-at-least-25-trapped-after-himalayan-avalanche/a-71789157
- https://zeenews.india.com/india/uttarakhand-avalanche-32-of-57-trapped-bro-workers-rescued-ops-underway-on-war-footing-top-updates-2865574.html
- https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Feb/28/avalanche-strikes-bro-camp-in-uttarakhand-33-rescued-22-still-missing-rescue-halted-due-to-heavy-snowfall
- https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-avalanche-poor-visibility-snowstorm-rescue-operations-9861574/
- https://apnews.com/article/india-avalanche-uttarakhand-6aff6772cdd48451ee450679dc621343
- https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/chamoli-avalanche-uttarakhand-cm-announces-temporary-control-room-in-joshimath20250228222732/
- https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/badrinath-avalanche-uttarakhand-avalanche-live-updates-uttarakhand-avalanche-updates-41-workers-missing-after-avalanche-in-uttarakhands-badrinath-7815502
- https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/least-47-people-feared-trapped-after-glacier-burst-indian-himalayas-tv-reports-2025-02-28/
- https://www.ndtv.com/video/11-rescued-after-avalanche-hits-uttarakhand-s-badrinath-24-workers-missing-908449
- https://economictimes.com/news/newsblogs/badrinath-avalanche-live-updates-uttarakhand-glacier-burst-chamoli-village-workers-trapped-casualties-latest-news/liveblog/118624783.cms
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjImuNVsMqE
- https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/uttarakhand-32-road-construction-workers-trapped-in-chamoli-rescued-says-district-magistrate20250228194536
- https://ddnews.gov.in/en/uttarakhand-avalanche-32-workers-rescued-in-chamoli-rescue-efforts-continue/
