Chamoli (Uttarakhand), Feb 28: At least 57 people are feared trap under snow after an avalanche hit Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Friday.
As per reports, the avalanche occurred three-kilometer ahead of Badrinath Dham near a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in Mana village of the district. The trapped workers were engaged in road construction.
The rescue and relief operations were severely affected as the road to the affected area was also blocked due to the avalanche.
As of now, 15 of the 57 trapped workers have been rescued so far and sent to the army camp near Mana in critical condition, informed officials.
Meanwhile, BRO said that three to four ambulances have been sent to the location, but heavy snowfall has caused delays adding that around 60-65 people are engaged in the rescue operation.
On the other hand, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern over the incident and prayed for the safety of all the trapped workers.
Taking to his official ‘X’ handle, CM Dhami wrote, "We have received the tragic news of several workers, engaged in a construction project by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district, being trapped due to an avalanche. Rescue and relief operations are underway by ITBP, BRO, and other teams. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the safety of all the workers."
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several hilly regions, including Uttarakhand, forecasting very heavy rainfall of up to 20 cm until late Friday night.
