Rescue Efforts Intensify in Uttarakhand Avalanche as 14 More Saved, 8 Still Trapped

Rescuers in Uttarakhand fought against time and treacherous conditions to pull 14 more laborers from the thick snow that buried a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in Mana, Chamoli district. The avalanche, which struck early Friday morning, left 55 workers trapped under the freezing debris. With the latest rescue efforts, 47 people have been brought to safety, while eight remain trapped, their fate hanging in the balance as search operations continue.

The disaster unfolded in one of India’s most challenging terrains, where nature’s fury is a constant threat. The Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel stationed in Mana resumed their mission at the break of dawn, determined to locate the remaining workers. Helicopters were deployed to airlift the injured to Joshimath for urgent medical care. Images shared by local authorities captured the desperation of the moment—rescue teams battling against the harsh environment, their faces etched with exhaustion yet driven by an unshakable resolve.

For the families waiting anxiously, each update brings a mix of relief and fear. Some have been reunited with their loved ones, while others cling to hope, praying that those still trapped will emerge alive. The extreme cold, shifting snow, and the risk of further avalanches have made the rescue operation extraordinarily difficult, but the teams refuse to give up.

This disaster is a grim reminder of the dangers faced by those working in remote mountainous regions, often braving life-threatening conditions to build roads and infrastructure in some of the world’s toughest landscapes. As the search continues, the focus remains on bringing every last worker home safely, with rescuers and families alike refusing to let hope fade amidst the ice and snow.