33 of 57 BRO workers trapped under avalanche in Uttarakhand rescued

Around 33 out of 57 workers from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) who were trapped under an avalanche in Uttarakhand have been successfully rescued, PTI reported citing sources on Friday.

The workers had been performing road construction work on the border area of Mana village in Badrinath when the avalanche struck earlier in the day, burying them under a heavy blanket of snow.

Rescue efforts continue as agencies such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Army joined the operation.


However, the situation remains critical as the weather conditions plagued by heavy snowfall as well as the region’s treacherous terrain have made the relief efforts significantly more challenging.

Rescued workers critical

Many of the rescued workers remain in a critical condition and have been transferred to an army camp near Mana for urgent medical attention.

"Due to heavy snowfall, the rescue teams are facing challenges in reaching the site," said BRO Executive Engineer CR Meena. “Three to four ambulances have also been dispatched, but the weather conditions are making it difficult to transport personnel.”

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami responds

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared updates on the situation, confirming that relief operations are being carried out by ITBP, BRO, and other rescue teams.

"Sad news has been received that several laborers were buried due to an avalanche during construction work operated by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district. Relief and rescue operations are being conducted by ITBP, BRO, and other rescue teams. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the worker brothers," CM Dhami posted on X.

The chief minister also held a meeting with security officials at the State Emergency Operation Centre to gather information on the incident.

Earlier avalanche warning

The avalanche was preceded by an alert issued by the Lahaul and Spiti Police on Thursday, warning of possible avalanche risks in the region.

The advisory urged locals and travelers to stay on designated safe routes, citing a danger level 3 (Orange) avalanche warning from the Directorate General of Resilience and Emergency (DGRE) and the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).

According to the release, medium-sized avalanches were expected to occur on extreme slopes, increasing the risk for workers in the area.