Date | February 28, 2025 |
---|---|
Time | 5:30 – 6:00 AM IST |
Location | Mana, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India |
Coordinates | 30°25′N79°29′E / 30.42°N 79.48°E |
Type | Avalanche |
Cause | Heavy snowfall, high-altitude terrain |
Missing | 0 (final missing worker found on March 2, 2025) |
The Uttarakhand Avalanche 2025 was a deadly avalanche that struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp on February 28, 2025, near Mana village in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. [1] [2] The avalanche buried 54 workers inside eight containers and a shed at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, close to the India-China border. The incident occurred between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM IST, in an area prone to avalanches and extreme winter conditions. [3] [4] [5]
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) led the rescue operations, in coordination with the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Indian Air Force. Over 200 personnel were deployed in the operation, facing harsh weather conditions, heavy snowfall, extreme cold (−12 °C to −15 °C), and poor visibility. [6] [7]
Specialized equipment, including thermal imaging cameras, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), sniffer dogs, and drones, was used to locate trapped individuals. On February 28, 33 workers were rescued, followed by 17 more on March 1. However, four of the rescued workers succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll to eight. [8] [9]
By March 2, 2025, the last missing worker’s body was recovered, marking the completion of the rescue operation. [10]
Many of the rescued workers suffered serious injuries, with some in critical condition. Survivors recounted how the avalanche struck suddenly, trapping them under snow. Some workers survived by eating snow and seeking shelter in a nearby hotel. Those with severe injuries were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and military hospitals for treatment. [11] [12]
The avalanche occurred near Mana Pass, a high-altitude region near the India-China border, known for harsh winter conditions and frequent avalanches. The increasing frequency and severity of avalanches in the Himalayas have been linked to climate change and unpredictable weather patterns. The incident highlights the dangers faced by workers in high-altitude construction projects and the need for improved safety measures in such ecologically fragile regions. [10] [13] [14]