In a recent response to a catastrophic avalanche that struck the Mana region in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, senior military officials are actively overseeing and coordinating the ongoing search and rescue operations. The avalanche occurred on February 28, 2025, and resulted in a tragic situation for numerous workers.
Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Central Command, along with Lieutenant General D.G. Misra, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Uttar Bharat Area, visited the avalanche site to evaluate the situation firsthand and ensure the effectiveness of the ongoing rescue efforts.
The avalanche buried a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp, entrapping 55 workers who were involved in crucial highway construction projects near the Mana Pass, which lies close to the Tibet border. Fortunately, rescue teams have managed to extricate 50 workers and bring them to safety; however, the situation remains grave as four individuals have tragically succumbed to their injuries, and efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining five workers.
In the pursuit of their rescue mission, specialized equipment has been deployed, including reconnaissance radars, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), quadcopters, and trained avalanche rescue dogs. Helicopters are playing a critical role in these operations, continually transporting essential equipment and evacuating the injured to medical facilities for immediate care.
Lieutenant General Sengupta reassured the public that the Indian Army, in collaboration with various agencies, is fully equipped to conduct rapid and effective rescue operations in this challenging environment. He emphasized the Army’s commitment to incorporating new-generation equipment into their strategies to improve operational effectiveness in such demanding terrains.
This area of the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region has historically been vulnerable to avalanches and flash floods, issues that have been exacerbated by the effects of global warming. Recent years have highlighted this danger; in 2022, a tragic avalanche claimed the lives of 27 trainee mountaineers in Uttarakhand, and an earlier glacier burst in 2021 resulted in over 200 fatalities.
The ongoing rescue operations in Mana reflect the relentless determination and efforts of the Indian Army and associated agencies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and ensure the safety of those affected. The situation remains a critical focus for military officials as they work tirelessly to navigate through the challenges and continue their life-saving mission.
