Badrinath Avalanche Highlights: Body of last missing worker recovered; death toll reaches 8

The body of the eighth worker missing in the Mana (Chamoli) avalanche incident was recovered by the Army on Sunday afternoon during the ongoing search operation, officials said.

Earlier in the day, three more bodies were found as rescue teams continued searching for the last missing worker.

"All 54 persons have now been rescued or recovered. This marks the culmination of the Mana Village Rescue Operation," said Lt Col Manish Shrivastava, PRO (Defence), Dehradun.

According to officials, the search operation resumed on Sunday morning to locate four missing workers believed to be trapped under the snow after an avalanche hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on February 28.

With this, the death toll has risen to eight. Four workers had died on Saturday.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "An avalanche occurred couple of days ago at India's first village - Mana - where several (BRO) workers were working. Following this, a rescue operation was jointly launched by Army, BRO, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, district officials, etc. and rescued 46 people alive. It was a challenging task, but thanks to everyone, it (rescue operation) has been a success."

A Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worker was airlifted from Joshimath to Rishikesh on Sunday after being rescued from the devastating avalanche in Mana, Chamoli, Uttarakhand.

The worker's brother, Pankaj Kumar, shared the ordeal, revealing that his brother is currently undergoing treatment in Rishikesh.

Pankaj Kumar stated that his brother, who was responsible for servicing trucks in the area, had been left with severe injuries.

Speaking to ANI, Pankaj said, "The doctor has said that he will need to be operated on. He can't feel his legs," Pankaj Kumar said, expressing concern for his brother's well-being.

The family is anxiously waiting for the operation, with Pankaj Kumar revealing that doctors have assured them of a positive outcome. "Doctors say that he will be fine, but he needs to be operated on... The family is worried. Doctors are cooperating with us."

Pankaj Kumar last spoke to his brother on February 18, before the avalanche struck. The incident has left the family shaken, and they are now praying for the worker's speedy recovery.

"The last missing person's body has been found. All the 54 persons have been rescued/recovered. The recovery marks the culmination of Mana Village Rescue Operation," said Lt Col Manish Shrivastava, PRO (Defence) Dehradun.

Survivors on Sunday recounted the harrowing experience of being trapped under snow after an avalanche struck near Mana village near Badrinath in the Chamoli district Uttarakhand.

The avalanche, which hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp on Friday morning and 55 workers were trapped under snow. According to the Army the workers were inside eight containers and a shed.

A total of 50 were rescued before operations were halted on Saturday owing to snowfall.

On Sunday morning, the Indian Army said that the body of one more worker was retrieved.

Vijay Pandey, one of the men who was rescued from the avalanche site admitted to Joshimath Army Hospital, said, "We were in the container when the avalanche hit us, and it swept the container away; we found ourselves in the snow. Nine of us were in the container, and out of which four are admitted here."

Another survivor said, "I had never seen anything like that in my entire life... Anyhow, a few of us managed to reach the BRO camp..."

One of the survivors recalled the intensity of the avalanche, saying, "It happened so suddenly that we didn't realise anything. All our containers were destroyed as it was a heavy storm, an avalanche. Anyhow, we managed to rush towards the army camp. What else could the Army and the government have done? The weather was so bad."

AIIMS Rishikesh and the Army Hospital in Joshimath are actively treating injured individuals, with some patients in critical condition requiring intensive care.

Speaking about the situation at AIIMS Rishikesh, PRO Sandeep Singh said, "Five people were scheduled to be brought here, but later, we came to know that 4 would be brought here. One injured has been brought here, and he has a spinal injury. He is being examined. His spine surgery will perhaps be done today. His legs are not functioning right now...The team is observing him...Another injured is also scheduled to be airlifted here today...He has suffered a pelvic injury. Other patients are being examined at the base hospital..."

Meanwhile, Major Amit Kumar Mishra at the Joshimath Army Hospital provided an update on the condition of those admitted there, saying, "We have 45 patients here. Three are in critical condition--one is bleeding in the liver, and we are trying to manage it by blood transfusion. We are monitoring the situation, but as of now, all are stable."

“The patient brought yesterday has a spinal injury and is undergoing surgery. Another patient with a pelvic injury is being airlifted and will be brought to the hospital shortly. The condition of the patient admitted yesterday is stable. All doctors are actively involved in his treatment," Meenu Singh said.

The Army has recovered two more bodies from the snow during the ongoing search operation in Mana, Chamoli. Out of the 54 BRO workers trapped in the avalanche, 53 have now been rescued. One person remains missing, and search and rescue efforts continue, according to Lt Col Manish Shrivastava, PRO (Defence) Dehradun.

Survivors on Sunday recounted the harrowing experience of being trapped under snow after an avalanche struck near Mana village near Badrinath in the Chamoli district Uttarakhand.

The avalanche, which hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp on Friday morning and 55 workers were trapped under snow. According to the Army the workers were inside eight containers and a shed.

A total of 50 were rescued before operations were halted on Saturday owing to snowfall.

On Sunday morning, the Indian Army said that the body of one more worker was retrieved.

Vijay Pandey, one of the men who was rescued from the avalanche site admitted to Joshimath Army Hospital, said, "We were in the container when the avalanche hit us, and it swept the container away; we found ourselves in the snow. Nine of us were in the container, and out of which four are admitted here."

Another survivor said, "I had never seen anything like that in my entire life... Anyhow, a few of us managed to reach the BRO camp..."

One of the survivors recalled the intensity of the avalanche, saying, "It happened so suddenly that we didn't realise anything. All our containers were destroyed as it was a heavy storm, an avalanche. Anyhow, we managed to rush towards the army camp. What else could the Army and the government have done? The weather was so bad."

One more body has been recovered by the Army in the snow during the ongoing search operation. The body is being brought to the Mana post. Three people are still missing, search and rescue operation is on: Lt Col Manish Shrivastava PRO (Defence) Dehradun.

Chamoli DM Sandeep Tiwari said, "Four people are still missing and a rescue operation is still underway to find them. We are receiving full support from the central and the state governments. We are also using thermal cameras, molecular cameras and sniffer dogs to find them."

In Dehradun, PRO Defence Lt Colonel Manish Shrivastava said, "Four people are still missing. The Indian Army is on a rescue mission for the same. A drone-based Intelligent buried object detection system will now be used in the search operation. 2 personnel of the Tiranga Mountain Rescue Team and avalanche rescue dog, Robin, are also deployed. We have Army, Air Force, and civil helicopters there indulge in the rescue operation."

The rescue mission for four missing workers at an avalanche-affected BRO camp in Mana village, Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, continued on Sunday using sniffer dogs and helicopters.

According to district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, clear weather conditions and the anticipated arrival of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system from Delhi should accelerate the search efforts.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “50 people have been recovered out of which four people have died. Rest 46 of them are healthy and safe. They have been referred to the Rishikesh centre. Arrangements are being made for the treatment. The bodies of the four workers will be sent to their families. The remaining four who are still missing… for them, the radar and the locating camera are being arranged.”

SDRF communication team from Joshimath leaves for Shri Badrinath Dham with man pack repeater for the search and rescue of the missing BRO workers

As per DM Chamoli and the updated information, there were 54 BRO workers who were trapped in the avalanche on February 28; 50 have been rescued of which 4 have lost their lives; 4 are still missing.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reaches the Disaster Control Room at IT Park, Dehradun, to review the rescue operation going on for the second consecutive day to rescue BRO (Border Roads Organisation) workers in Mana, Chamoli.

As per DM Chamoli Sandeep Tiwari, "Yesterday, doctors have confirmed 4 deaths. Earlier, the total number was 55, but now we have the information that one of the workers was on unauthorized leave, and he is home. The total number has reduced to 54, out of which 4 people are still missing."

State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman informs, "The CM is about to come in the control room. Earlier, he had visited three times. The rehabilitation work is going on. Our team is upbeat. Army, ITBP, BRO, NDRF, SDRF, Disaster Management Department, district administration, police, fire department, health department, all are working diligently. Out of 55 trapped persons, 51 have been traced, four are still missing. GPR, Victim Locating Cameras, Thermal Imaging Cameras and other equipment have sent to trace them at the earliest. There have been four casualties. One body is in Joshimath and three are in Badrinath."

The roar came first. Deep, guttural — like a dozen thunderstorms colliding over the Himalayas. Then, the whiteout.

Vipan Kumar had just finished another long shift operating heavy machinery in the frozen heights of Chamoli. He was resting inside a metal container, the kind workers use as makeshift housing at remote sites. He barely had time to react before the world around him turned to ice. "I heard a loud roar, like thunder," he said, his voice shaking over the phone. "Before I could react, everything went dark."

An avalanche near the India-China border resulted in four deaths and four missing workers. Rescue efforts, hindered by deep snow and harsh weather, retrieved bodies and saved 47 workers, while the search for the missing continues. Helicopter operations were halted due to snowfall. Nearly 200 personnel are involved in the ongoing rescue operation.

According to latest rescue updates provided by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), five labourers were missing but one of them -- Sunil Kumar from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh -- has reached home safely on his own and now. according to news agency PTI. The search is focused on the four remaining workers.

Family members of a man from UP's Ballia are concerned about his fate, saying he may have been trapped in the avalanche in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district where rescue operations are still underway. An avalanche hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp between Mana and Badrinath between 5.30 am and 6 am on Friday, burying 55 workers inside eight containers and a shed, according to the Army.

A labourer died and 49 have been pulled out alive from the snow that engulfed a BRO camp. Rescue efforts are ongoing for the other five workers.

Ram Sujan Singh from Rasra in Ballia is named in the official list of the 55 workers who were originally buried under snow. Further details about the workers were not available.

Ram Sujan Singh from Chilkhar village here had gone to Chamoli in January 2024 and works as a supervisor there, his son Raj Singh told PTI. Family members said they have not received any information about him so far.

Raj said they last spoke to Ram Sujan on Monday. "They do not have any information about how my father is."

Avalanches, common enough in winter in Badrinath and Mana valley, become more likely to occur between January and March after fresh snowfall. The fear of the natural phenomenon explains the centuries-old practice of people living in Mana and adjoining villages to shift to lower areas of the valley after the onset of winter each year.

Environmentalist and Chipko movement leader Chandi Prasad Bhatt said that except the main temple of Badrinath, a large area of Badripuri is highly vulnerable to avalanches.

"If we look at the previous incidents of avalanches in this area, then Badripuri keeps suffering damages due to avalanches almost every decade. In 2014, there was heavy damage due to an avalanche in the Narayan Parvat area in Badrinath," the Gandhi Peace Prize winner said.

In the past, avalanches have caused loss of life and property not only in Badripuri but also in Mana and the adjoining villages, he said.

Bhatt said a few years ago, in a meeting, the DRDO scientists working in this area, especially the scientists of 'SASA' from Himachal Pradesh, were requested that the areas most sensitive to avalanches should be identified.

BJP National general secretary and the party's in-charge for Uttarakhand, Dushyant Gautam, spoke about the ongoing rescue operations in the state.

He stressed the importance of saving lives and noted that the rescue teams, along with the state government under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, are continuously working to address the situation.

Gautam said, "Rescue operations are going on continuously. It is our duty to save lives, and the rescue teams and state government under the leadership of CM Dhami are on their toes."

On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated that the state government is in constant touch with the Uttarakhand administration regarding the rescue operations for Uttar Pradesh workers trapped in the Chamoli avalanche.

"The Uttarakhand government is making continuous efforts to rescue workers from Uttar Pradesh who are trapped in the incident (avalanche) there. We are in continuous touch with the Uttarakhand government. We pray to God for their safe return home. We are also in touch with the relatives of the workers," he told ANI.

At least three workers rescued from under snow triggered by an avalanche that stuck Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, have sustained serious head injuries and fractures, an official of the ITBP said on Saturday.

As per the Uttarakhand government rescue workers have pulled out 49 people out of the 55 workers who got trapped in the avalanche that stuck a General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) camp near Mana village in Garhwal Sector.

ITBP Commandant Vijay Kumar P expressed hope for the rescue of the remaining workers. "Two to three people are in critical condition with fractures and head injuries. They are admitted to Joshimath Hospital. Eight individuals are still missing, and we are hopeful they will be rescued by this evening," he said.

"Senior officials are monitoring the situation, with the IG overseeing the operation and the DIG on the ground. Rescue teams are actively working, and officials expect positive developments by the evening, the ITBP official said.

DM Chamoli, Sandeep Tiwari said, "The rescue operation that began yesterday, 33 workers were rescued yesterday. 17 more have been rescued today. In total, 50 people have been rescued, 5 people are still missing and search operation is underway to trace them."

On Chamoli avalanche, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ameeque Jamei said, “I can smell the corruption. We are worried about the workers. The Uttarakhand government only cares about anti-Muslim agendas and not for the mountains and forests. This is the result of that.”

50 people have been rescued, but 4 succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Rescue operations continue for the remaining 5.

49 out of 55 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers who were trapped in the Mana avalanche have been safely rescued. A rescue operation is underway to save the remaining 6 personnel: Uttarakhand Government

Rescued labourers are being taken in choppers to Joshimath helipad and further to hospital for treatment during the rescue operation.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of the areas affected by the avalanche near Mana village in Chamoli district of the state.

He also arrived in Joshimath and met with injured Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers who were rescued from the site and transported to the Joshimath military hospital for treatment.

Till Saturday morning, 47 BRO workers of the total 55 people trapped under snow have been rescued and rescue and relief operations are still underway to rescue the eight others.

Four Army choppers have been pressed into rescue operations to save the eight people still trapped under snow in the avalanche that struck near Mana Village yesterday, district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said today.

The Chamoli District Magistrate further said four helicopters have arrived with the help of the Centre and the State governments have joined the rescue operations.

In Joshimath, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami meets Army personnel and officials, and takes an update on the rescue and relief operation.

Out of those BRO (Border Roads Organisation) workers who have been rescued, 3 are being treated at the Army Hospital of Joshimath; so far, 47 of the total 55 trapped workers have been rescued.

Four Army choppers have been pressed into rescue operations to save eight people still trapped under snow in the avalanche that struck near Mana Village in Chamoli district of the state, district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said on Saturday. A total of 47 out of the 55 trapped workers have been rescued so far, he said.

The Chamoli District Magistrate further said four helicopters have arrived with the help of Centre and State governments have joined the rescue operations.

"Of the total 55 people, 47 have been rescued from Mana. We have brought seven people to Joshimath Hospital, and they are under treatment. They are under doctors' observation. Three of them are stable...I hope that the remaining people will also be rescued soon."

Workers of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had got trapped under snow when the avalanche struck on Friday and teams from the NDRF, Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police working on a war footing in a joint operation have managed to pull out 47 workers out of the 55 people trapped so far and the search for eight remaining have intensified.

With the evacuation of the 14 labourers, 47 of the 55 labourers who were trapped under the avalanche, which hit the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp between Mana and Badrinath early on Friday morning, have been rescued. Thirty-three had been rescued by Friday night.

Heavy snowfall and rain threw life out of gear in many parts of Himachal Pradesh on Friday, as over 200 roads remained blocked, water supply got disrupted and several regions plunged into darkness, with avalanches, landslides and flash floods occurring in many parts of the state.

While the high hills received snowfall, the mid and low hills were lashed by heavy rainfall on Friday.

In Dehradun, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh 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, rest will be rescued soon."

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