The rescue operation in the aftermath of the Uttarakhand avalanche that struck near Mana village in Chamoli district on February 28 has concluded with the recovery of the last missing worker’s body on Sunday. This brings the total death toll from the tragedy to eight.
Lt Col Manish Shrivastava, PRO (Defence) Dehradun, confirmed the development, stating, “The last missing person’s body has been found. All 54 persons have been rescued or recovered. This marks the culmination of the Mana village rescue operation.”
Rescue Operation Successfully Concluded
The multi-agency rescue operation, which included personnel from the Indian Army, ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), Indian Air Force (IAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), was officially called off on Sunday after extensive search and evacuation efforts.
Top Updates on the Uttarakhand Avalanche
- Final Body Recovered: The last missing worker was found, marking the end of the search operation and taking the official death toll to eight.
- CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Monitors Rescue Efforts: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the Disaster Control Room at IT Park, Dehradun, for the second consecutive day to review ongoing rescue efforts for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers trapped at Mana.
- Survivors Recount Harrowing Experience:
- Vijay Pandey, one of the rescued workers, shared his experience with ANI, saying, “We were inside the container when the avalanche hit. It swept us away, and we found ourselves buried in the snow. Nine of us were inside the container; four are now admitted here at the Joshimath Army Hospital.”
- Advanced Technology Used in Rescue:
- The IAF airlifted a drone-based intelligent buried object detection system for the search.
- The SDRF sent a communication team to Shri Badrinath Dham with a pack repeater to aid in rescue efforts.
- Aerial Rescue Operations:
- The state government deployed multiple helicopters for evacuation, including:
- One MI-17 helicopter
- Three Cheetah helicopters
- Two Uttarakhand government helicopters
- AIIMS Rishikesh air ambulance
- CM Dhami also directed authorities to deploy additional helicopters if needed.
- The state government deployed multiple helicopters for evacuation, including:
- Specialist Equipment Deployed:
- A Victim Locating Camera (VLC) and Thermal Image Camera were sent from Sahastradhara to assist in finding missing BRO workers buried under the snow.
- Emergency Infrastructure Prepared:
- An Army helipad near the Mana base camp was made operational for emergency airlifts.
- Extreme Weather Challenges Rescue Efforts:
- Heavy snowfall of 6-7 feet has been reported in Badrinath, causing road closures at multiple locations.
- Military Leadership Assesses the Situation:
- Major General Prem Raj and Brigadier Harish Sethi visited the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) to oversee the Army-led rescue mission.
- Injured Workers Receiving Treatment:
- 24 rescued BRO workers are undergoing treatment in Joshimath.
- One critically injured worker was airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh due to a spinal injury.
Ongoing Challenges in the Region
Despite the rescue operation concluding, the heavy snowfall and road blockages continue to pose significant challenges for authorities in Badrinath and Chamoli. The state administration, along with military and disaster relief agencies, remains vigilant in providing assistance and ensuring safety in the region.
Sources By Agencies
