2025 Uttarakhand avalanche
| Date | February 28, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 5:30 – 6:00 AM IST |
| Location | Mana, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India |
| Coordinates | 30°25′N 79°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]
Rescue operations
[edit]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]
Impact and aftermath
[edit]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]
Geographical and environmental context
[edit]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]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Missing Worker's Body Recovered, Uttarakhand Avalanche Deaths Rise To 8". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand: Dozens missing in Indian Himalayas avalanche". www.bbc.com. 2025-02-28. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ Sethi, Narendra (2025-03-02). "Uttarakhand avalanche: Four more bodies recovered, death toll at eight as rescue operation ends". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Came To Senses Next To Dead Co-worker: Uttarakhand Avalanche Survivor Recalls Incident". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand avalanche: Mana villagers saved by ancient wisdom & annual migration". The Times of India. 2025-03-01. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "At least 4 killed, some still missing, in avalanche in India's Uttarakhand". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand avalanche: 46 safe, death toll rises to 8 as last worker's body found". India Today. 2025-03-02. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand avalanche rescue: Deaths rise to eight as last body found; search operation concludes". The Hindu. 2025-03-02. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand avalanche survivors recount harrowing experience". The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ a b "Search operation ends as bodies of 4 remaining missing workers found at Uttarakhand avalanche site, toll rises to 8". The Indian Express. 2025-03-02. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand avalanche: Bodies of four more missing workers recovered, rescue operation ends". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand avalanche: Death toll rises to five as search continues for three missing workers - CNBC TV18". CNBCTV18. 2025-03-02. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand Avalanche: Body Of Last Missing Worker Recovered In Chamoli, Rescue Ops End". Zee News. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ "Uttarakhand avalanche: At least 10 dead and dozens missing in Indian Himalayas". 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
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