Four Army helicopters are actively rescuing eight people still trapped under the snow after an avalanche hit Mana Village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. So far, rescue teams have saved 47 out of the 55 trapped workers, according to District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari.
Joint Effort to Save Trapped Workers
The avalanche struck on Friday, trapping Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers under thick snow. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are working together to save lives. Their coordinated efforts have already rescued 47 workers, and they are intensifying the search for the remaining eight.
Medical Aid and Hospitalization
Authorities swiftly transported injured workers to hospitals. “We brought seven rescued workers to Joshimath Hospital for treatment. Three are stable and under doctors’ observation,” Tiwari said. Earlier, officials rescued 33 people, three of whom were critically injured. They received initial treatment at Mana’s Army Hospital before being shifted to a Military Hospital in Joshimath.
CM Dhami and PM Modi Monitoring the Situation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely tracking the rescue mission. He shared an update on X, saying, “14 more workers have been rescued safely. The injured are receiving the best medical care. Three critically injured workers are now at the Army Hospital in Jyotirmath.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reviewed the situation. “PM Modi spoke to me over the phone to get updates on the rescue operation,” Dhami confirmed. Earlier, he visited the disaster control room in Dehradun to oversee relief efforts.
Helpline Numbers Issued
The Uttarakhand government has set up emergency helplines for people seeking information or assistance. Residents can contact:
- Mobile: 8218867005, 9058441404
- Telephone: 0135 2664315
- Toll-Free: 1070
Indian Air Force Ready for Deployment
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has positioned Mi-17 V5 medium-lift helicopters and light choppers for relief operations. “As soon as weather conditions improve, we will deploy our aircraft in coordination with local authorities,” IAF officials stated.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and authorities remain hopeful of saving the remaining trapped workers soon.