Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday provided an update on the ongoing rescue operations in the avalanche-affected areas of Chamoli district, which entered its second day.
The Chief Minister confirmed that four individuals had succumbed to critical injuries, while 46 rescued workers from the February 28 avalanche remain stable. One injured worker has been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced treatment.
Search and rescue operations for the four missing workers continue, with collaborative efforts from the Army, ITBP, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF.
“Four people have lost their lives due to critical injuries. Forty-six people are stable, and one has been referred to Rishikesh AIIMS. Formalities for handing over the bodies to their families are underway. We are making every possible effort — the Army, ITBP, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF are all working together,” said CM Dhami.
Advanced equipment like ground-penetrating radar, thermal imaging cameras, and victim-locating cameras are being deployed to aid in locating the missing workers.
The Chief Minister noted that while weather conditions in the area are improving, the risk of further avalanches remains high. As a precaution, authorities have halted work in high-altitude areas.
Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari clarified the total number of trapped workers, stating, “Yesterday, doctors confirmed four deaths. Initially, the total number was reported as 55, but one worker was later found to be on unauthorized leave and safe at home. The total number of trapped individuals was revised to 54, with four still missing.”
The Indian Air Force has airlifted a drone-based Intelligent Buried Object Detection System to aid in search operations. IAF Cheetah helicopters have been involved in rescue operations around the Mana area of Chamoli since Saturday.
Injured BRO workers have been airlifted to Joshimath Army Hospital for treatment, while one worker with a severe spinal injury was transferred to AIIMS Rishikesh for specialized care.
On Sunday, an SDRF team equipped with a Victim Locating Camera (VLC) and a Thermal Imaging Camera was dispatched to the site to assist in the search efforts. This expert team, deployed by helicopter from Sahastradhara, will continue using these advanced tools to locate the missing individuals.
