Uttarakhand avalanche: Of 50 workers rescued, four die; search on for five labourers

Six helicopters, including three of the Indian Army Aviation, two of the IAF and one civil copter hired by the Army, are engaged in the rescue operations, an Army spokesperson said.

New Delhi: Five Border Roads Organisation workers still remain missing nearly 48 hours after their camp at Mana village, close to Badrinath in Uttarakhand, was hit by a massive avalanche, even as rescuers managed to pull out 50 out of 55 workers who lived in the camp.

Four workers died on Saturday as the men from Indian Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police and disaster response forces were racing against time to find the missing individuals, sources said here.

“Fourteen people were rescued today morning after teams from the Indian Army, ITBP and other agencies worked throughout the night. Unfortunately four were recovered dead,” Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding of the Indian Army’s Central Command, said. Three more were rescued later in the day.

Search and rescue operations in Mana have been underway for more than 24 hours as the Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade — comprising over 150 troops from the Assam Regiment and Garhwal Scouts — combats severe weather and continuous snowfall following a massive avalanche. A total of 55 labourers were suspected to be trapped, of which 33 were rescued or found safe by last night.

With weather conditions improving, the helicopters were pressed into action speeding up the rescue operations. Helicopter services from Joshimath helipad were in full swing using eight helicopters from Indian Army Aviation and the Indian Air Force.

“Two companies of Garhwal Scouts and 7 Assam are trying to recover the remaining individuals who are feared to be trapped in three containers, which have not yet been located. UAVs and radars are to be pressed into service whenever the road permits,” said Lt Gen Sengupta, who is overseeing the operations at Mana. There were a total eight containers housing the workers.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey of the affected area and directed officials to speed up the rescue operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Dhami and assured him of full support.

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister interacted with an injured labourer who was being airlifted for treatment. In a social media post, he said, "Took stock of the situation by conducting an aerial survey of the avalanche area near Mana in Chamoli district."

Besides army personnel, engineering plant equipment, avalanche rescue radars and helicopters were employed to enhance the rescue efforts, an official said. Indian Army doctors on-site have performed life-saving surgeries for those in dire need,

Lt Gen Sengupta said nearly 20 km of road connecting Joshimath was still covered under snow and landslides.