By OUR STAFF REPORTER
CHAMOLI, 2 Mar: The rescue operation following the avalanche near Mana in Chamoli has been completed, with 46 workers safely rescued and the bodies of eight deceased workers recovered from the snow. Among the rescued, 44 workers are receiving treatment at the military hospital in Joshimath while two have been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh. All 44 injured workers are reported to be out of danger.
All rescued workers were airlifted to the military hospital in Jyotirmath using seven Army helicopters and one private helicopter. The deceased workers’ bodies are also being transported. Two critically injured workers have been shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced treatment. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that all missing individuals had been accounted for, stating that 54 people were caught in the avalanche, out of which 46 have been rescued, and the body of the last missing worker has now been recovered. The total death toll stands at eight, with seven bodies already transported to the military hospital, and efforts are underway to bring the last body from the Mana region via helicopter. With the operation now concluded, the focus shifts to providing medical care to the injured and assisting the families of the deceased.
Following are the details of the deceased: Anil Kumar (21) Rudrapur Udham Singh Nagar Uttarakhand; Ashok (28) son of Rampal, Ganghol Benau Fatehpur Uttar Pradesh; Harmesh (31) son of Gyanchand, Kuthar Una Himachal Pradesh; Mohinder Pal (42) son of Deshraj, Himachal; Alok Yadav, resident of Kanpur Uttar Pradesh; Manjeet Yadav, son of Shambhu, resident of Sarwan Uttar Pradesh; Jitendra Singh, (26) son of Kulwant Singh, Bilaspur Uttar Pradesh; Arvind Kumar Singh (43), son of Devendra Kumar, resident of Gokul Dham Bhagat Niwas, New Colony Clementown Dehradun.
According to official sources, survivors have expressed their gratitude for the “swift rescue efforts”. Ganesh Kumar from Pithoragarh shared his relief, stating that he had lost hope of survival but is now safe thanks to the government’s rescue mission. Manoj Bhandari from Uttarkashi praised the efforts of the Indian Army and administration, acknowledging the immense support provided during the crisis. Vijaypal from Moradabad recalled the terror they felt when the glacier struck their container on 28 February, but appreciated the Army’s actions to keep them safe and later evacuate them to the military hospital in Joshimath.
The workers also commended the efforts of the Indian Army, ITBP, Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, and district administration, acknowledging that their timely action ensured many lives were saved. They also extended their gratitude to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the entire rescue team. The avalanche struck near Mana, close to the China border, early on Friday, trapping 54 workers from the Border Roads Organization (BRO). Rescue operations commenced on Friday morning with ITBP and the Indian Army leading the efforts. On the first day, 33 workers were rescued. By Saturday, with NDRF joining the mission, the total number of rescued workers increased to 46, while four bodies were recovered. Today search operations continued for the remaining four missing workers. By 1 p.m., three more bodies were found, and the last missing worker’s body was recovered at 4 p.m.
