A devastating avalanche struck a General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) camp near Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Sector on February 28, 2025, burying many workers from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The incident occurred amidst heavy snowfall, exacerbated by minor avalanches, posing significant challenges to rescue efforts in the high-altitude region.
In response to this disaster, the Indian Army’s IBEX Brigade quickly initiated rescue operations, navigating difficult weather conditions to locate and recover the trapped individuals. Reports indicate that more than 50 BRO personnel were caught in the avalanche near Badrinath, an area critical for border infrastructure development.
As of the latest updates, a total of 16 workers have been successfully rescued in a coordinated effort that involves the Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Teams are working tirelessly under hazardous conditions in their race against time to locate and save those still unaccounted for.
The BRO, which functions under India’s Ministry of Defence, is essential in constructing and maintaining road networks in remote border regions, vital for national security and connectivity. The workers trapped in the avalanche were engaged in ongoing projects aimed at improving access and infrastructure in this strategically significant area.
Rescue operations are still ongoing, and there are growing concerns as the weather conditions continue to deteriorate, potentially complicating efforts to reach those missing. Authorities remain hopeful, mobilizing all available resources to ensure the safety and recovery of the trapped workers.
