The Indian Army has successfully concluded its search and rescue operations at the Mana area in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, following the devastating avalanche on February 28. The mission focused on saving workers of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) who were trapped under the snow.

Out of 54 workers, 46 were rescued and are currently receiving medical treatment, while tragically, eight lost their lives. Despite continuous efforts under harsh conditions, the Army was unable to save them. In a heartfelt message on X, the Army expressed condolences to the bereaved families and paid tribute to the unwavering spirit of BRO personnel, acknowledging their role in developing remote regions of the country.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Speaking to ANI, he stated that the rescued workers had been shifted from Badrinath to Joshimath and some to AIIMS Rishikesh for treatment. He prayed for the well-being of the injured and strength for the grieving families.

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that the operation was completed by 5:30 PM on Sunday. The last missing worker’s body was recovered in the afternoon, bringing the death toll to eight. He acknowledged the support from both central and state governments, which played a crucial role in the operation’s success. The recovered bodies will be handed over to the families after legal formalities.

The Army, ITBP, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF worked tirelessly over two days to locate and rescue the trapped workers. Advanced equipment, including thermal imaging cameras, drones, and avalanche rescue dogs, were deployed to aid the search. A special drone-based buried object detection system was also brought in to assist.

Favorable weather conditions helped the rescue teams in their mission. Senior military officials, including Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta and Lt Gen DG Misra, visited the site to oversee operations. Helicopters were used continuously to transport essential supplies and evacuate the injured. With all 54 workers either rescued or recovered, the Army has now formally concluded the Mana Village Rescue Operation.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.