A massive avalanche hit Badrinath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday, trapping 57 workers involved in clearing snow to facilitate army movement. Rescue teams have managed to save at least 32 workers, while 25 are still trapped after the avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana village. The workers are employed by a private agency working under a BRO contract. District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed the incident, stating that no casualties had been registered. ANI cited Tiwari as conveying, “Clear communication is not able to be established as no satellite phones are available there.”

The Central Command of the Indian Army shared images of the ongoing rescue operations. A post on X stated, “An avalanche struck a GREF camp near Mana village in the Garhwal sector. A number of labourers are feared to be trapped. The Indian Army’s IBEX Brigade swiftly launched rescue operations despite continuing heavy snowfall and minor avalanches. So far, 10 personnel have been rescued and are being provided medical aid by the army. Additional troops and equipment are being staged forward to the location.”

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed to the site about 300 km from Dehradun. However, heavy snowfall and poor weather conditions have made rescue operations difficult.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah talked to Chief Minister Dhami to assess the situation of those trapped following the glacier burst. He stressed that the government's top priority is evacuating all affected individuals safely.

Authorities had been on high alert due to forecasts of extreme weather. The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) in Chandigarh gave an avalanche alert at 5 pm on Thursday, urging warning in areas above 2,400 meters in Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts.

The Meteorological Office in Dehradun had predicted heavy rainfall and snowfall in areas above 3,500 meters on Friday morning. In anticipation, the State Emergency Operations Centre alerted district authorities, advising them to take the required precautions immediately.

In a post on X, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated, "Sad news was received about many workers being buried under avalanche during the construction work being carried out by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by ITBP, BRO and other rescue teams. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the labour brothers."