Uttarakhand avalanche updates: Heavy snowfall halts operations to rescue workers

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: The search and rescue operations for the five missing Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers have been temporarily halted at the site of the avalanche-hit Mana area of Chamoli district following heavy snowfall and poor weather conditions, a senior officer said.

“4 bodies have been recovered and 4-5 persons are trapped. All others have been rescued and are under medical care,” said the ITBP PRO.

Chamoli District Magistrate, Sandeep Tiwari on Saturday said that 24 rescued Border Road Organisation (BRO) workers have been receiving treatment in Joshimath while one of the individuals has been sent to AIIMS Rishikesh via air ambulance after an injury in his spine, reported ANI.

A drone-based intelligent buried object detection system will be airlifted by the Indian Air Force for deployment in search and rescue operations of the five other missing Border Road Organization (BRO) workers following the avalanche in the Mana area of Chamoli, ANI reported.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the workers undergoing treatment at the Army Hospital and inquired about their well-being.

He directed the District Magistrate that there should be no shortage of necessary resources in the search and rescue operation and said the Central Government is also providing all the necessary assistance.

Four workers died on Saturday as rescuers raced against time to save the remaining labourers after an avalanche hit a BRO camp in the high-altitude Mana village in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district.

Six helicopters, including three of the Indian Army Aviation, two of the IAF and one civil copter hired by the Army, are engaged in the rescue operations, an Army spokesperson said.

55 Border Roads Organisation workers were trapped under the avalanche on Friday. 50 were extricated from the snow and search for the remaining five workers is underway. READ FULL STORY

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari provided an update on the ongoing rescue operations in Chamoli on Saturday, stating that 49 out of 55 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers have been rescued, while six individuals remain missing.

Speaking to ANI, Tiwari gave an update on the ongoing rescue operation and said, “49 workers have been rescued. 27 have been brought to Joshimath Army Hospital; all are stable.”

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: One Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worker has died as rescue efforts continue to locate the remaining trapped workers, news agency PTI reported, citing sources. Earlier, officials stated that 49 out of the 55 trapped workers had been rescued, with six still awaiting evacuation.

Fresh snowfall over the past two days has blanketed the mountains in Chamoli district on Saturday.

An avalanche struck the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp between Mana and Badrinath early Friday, between 5:30 am and 6 am, burying workers inside eight containers and a shed, according to the Army.

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to review the ongoing rescue operations in Chamoli district.

CM Dhami shared on X, "Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji spoke on the phone and took information about the rescue operation being carried out to safely evacuate the workers trapped in Mana of Chamoli district."

He further stated, "He also took detailed information on the situation of rain and snowfall in the state. During this, the Prime Minister assured that the central government will provide all possible assistance to deal with any emergency."

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: AIIMS Rishikesh is on standby to airlift and treat Border Roads Organization (BRO) workers injured in the Chamoli avalanche if required, news agency ANI reported citing officials on Saturday.

Meenu Singh, Director of AIIMS-Rishikesh, said, "...We are in touch with the hospitals where injured BRO workers are receiving treatment. We have not received any requisition yet, but if needed, we are ready to take those injured, and we will airlift them..."

Authorities have so far rescued 47 out of 55 workers trapped under the snow after the avalanche near Mana Village in Chamoli district. Seven rescued workers are currently receiving treatment, while three with serious injuries remain in stable condition, officials confirmed

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturdamet an injured worker who was airlifted to Joshimath. Among the rescued BRO (Border Roads Organisation) workers, three are receiving treatment at the Army Hospital in Joshimath. So far, 47 out of the 55 trapped workers have been rescued.

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in regular contact with state authorities and has promised full support.

So far, 47 out of 55 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers have been safely evacuated from the avalanche-hit Mana village in Chamoli district, while the Indian Army has rescued 14 civilians.

Speaking to reporters in Dehradun, CM Dhami said, "We are trying to rescue the (BRO) workers as soon as possible. I had a telephonic conversation with PM Modi, and he has assured all the possible help... The PMO is in constant touch with us. 14 more people have been rescued, and all are doing well, the rest will be rescued soon."

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: As rescue operations continue in Chamoli to save the remaining workers trapped after the Uttarakhand avalanche, UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak assured ongoing efforts. He stated, "Uttarakhand Govt is making continuous efforts to rescue workers from Uttar Pradesh who are trapped in the incident (avalanche) there. We are in continuous touch with Uttarakhand Govt. We pray to God for their safe return to home. We are also in touch with the relatives of the workers..."

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: Rescue operations continue in the Mana area of Chamoli, with the injured being airlifted to the Army Hospital. Chamoli DM Sandeep Tiwari provided an update, saying, “... Today, we have shifted the injured to Joshimath Army Hospital. They are stable. NDRF team is present here. As the weather is clear now, we hope the rescue operations will now speed up."

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: The Indian Army rescued 14 civilians from the avalanche site on Friday morning. With the weather easing slightly, three injured personnel were airlifted to Joshimath for treatment. Search and rescue efforts continue beyond 24 hours.

The Rishikesh-Badrinath highway has been blocked near Karnaprayag since last night due to falling debris. Ongoing rainfall has caused blockages at multiple points.

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: Chamoli Police released a list of 55 workers trapped in an avalanche in Mana on Friday. While 33 have been rescued, concerns grow for the remaining 22 as night halted rescue efforts.

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the disaster control room on Friday evening to assess the situation and directed officials to speed up the rescue operation.

He has been closely monitoring and reviewing the ongoing efforts, reaffirming the state government's commitment to ensuring the safety and support of all affected individuals.

Dhami said that all agencies are working on a war footing to carry out relief and rescue operations, assuring that the stranded workers will be evacuated soon.

He also urged the NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and Army to collaborate efficiently in clearing the snow.

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday announced the establishment of a temporary control room in Joshimath to facilitate better monitoring of the ongoing rescue operations following the avalanche that trapped 52 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers.

"PMO, HMO, and RMO are constantly taking updates on the situation. Indian Air Force helicopters are also kept on standby, and they will get to work as soon as the weather clears. Some rescue teams are also going by road. We will set up a temporary control room in Joshimath," Dhami told reporters.

He also mentioned that the state government has set up a helpline to assist the families of the trapped workers, who belong to various states.

"Since the workers who are trapped have come from different states, we have issued helpline numbers for them. We are just praying that everyone comes out safe," he added.

Uttarakhand avalanche live updates: Uttarakhand's disaster management secretary, Vinod Kumar Suman, said that 33 trapped labourers have been rescued, while 22 remain unaccounted for amid severe weather conditions.

Providing a correction to earlier reports, Suman clarified that two of the initially reported 57 trapped workers were actually on leave, bringing the actual number of those caught in the avalanche at the BRO camp to 55.

Of these, 33 have been rescued, while efforts continue to locate the remaining 22, he added.

According to a list released by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, the trapped workers belong to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir, among other states. However, the list does not specify the home states of 10 labourers.

Suman acknowledged the difficulties posed by the deep snow, which is nearly seven feet high near the avalanche site. Despite the challenges, he said, more than 65 personnel are actively involved in the rescue efforts.