DEHRADUN: An avalanche struck

Uttarakhand

's Chamoli district, reportedly trapping 57 workers in Mana village.
According to the BRO, all 57 workers were engaged in construction work when the avalanche occurred. While 15 have been safely rescued, efforts are underway to rescue the remaining 42 workers, led by the Garhwal 9th Brigade and BRO.

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), district administration, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are also present at the incident site.

An SDRF team has also been dispatched from Joshimath, while another remains on standby in Dehradun, ready for airlift if required.

Reacting to the incident, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami shared a post on 'X,' stating, "Sad news has been received about many workers being buried under snow due to avalanche during construction work being conducted by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district. Relief and rescue work is being conducted by ITBP, BRO and other rescue teams. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the labour brothers."

Chamoli DM Sandeep Tiwari said, "Information about an avalanche has been received. Around

57 labourers

of BRO (Border Roads Organisation), who undertake snow-clearing operations, had camped there. Our teams have been mobilised - ITBP, SDRF and Administration. There is active rainfall and snowfall activities there.
"So, we are unable to deploy heli-services. Movement is difficult. Since satellite phones and other such equipment are not available there, we have not been able to have a clear communication with them. But we have not received any official information of any casualty...We are receiving full support from higher authorities. We hope that our team will reach there and rescue them safely," he added further.
Earlier on Thursday, the Lahaul and Spiti Police issued an avalanche alert for the region on February 28.
As per the press release, the advisory warned travellers and locals to exercise caution and restrict movement to designated safe routes, as medium-size avalanche triggering is possible on certain extreme slopes.
"According to the DGRE and HPSDMA, there is a snow avalanche warning (Danger Level 3, Orange) in District Lahaul and Spiti up to 28th February 2025 (1700 hrs. IST) (enclosed). According to the advisory, medium-size avalanche triggering is possible on few extreme slopes and restriction of movement to only safe routes is advised", the release read.