AmanGautamArtist at 04:41, 15 March 2026

2026-03-15T04:41:29Z

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{{Short description|2025 deadly avalanche}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Uttarakhand Avalanche 2025
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| date = {{Start date|2025|02|28}}
| time = 5:30 – 6:00 AM IST
| location = [[Mana, India|Mana]], [[Chamoli district]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|30.42|N|79.48|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| type = Avalanche
| cause = Heavy snowfall, high-altitude terrain
| deaths = 8
}}

The '''Uttarakhand Avalanche 2025''' was a deadly avalanche that struck a [[Border Roads Organisation]] (BRO) camp on February 28, 2025, near [[Mana, India|Mana village]] in the [[Chamoli district]] of [[Uttarakhand]], India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Missing Worker's Body Recovered, Uttarakhand Avalanche Deaths Rise To 8 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uttarakhand-badrinath-mana-chamoli-avalanche-2-days-on-ops-continue-to-rescue-4-trapped-in-uttarakhand-avalanche-7828127 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-28 |title=Uttarakhand: Dozens missing in Indian Himalayas avalanche |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c36wwld19gzo |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sethi |first=Narendra |date=2025-03-02 |title=Uttarakhand avalanche: Four more bodies recovered, death toll at eight as rescue operation ends |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Mar/02/uttarakhand-avalanche-four-more-bodies-recovered-death-toll-at-eight-as-rescue-operation-ends |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Came To Senses Next To Dead Co-worker: Uttarakhand Avalanche Survivor Recalls Incident |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/came-to-senses-next-to-dead-co-worker-uttarakhand-avalanche-survivor-recalls-incident-7830865 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-01 |title=Uttarakhand avalanche: Mana villagers saved by ancient wisdom & annual migration |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uttarakhand-avalanche-mana-villagers-saved-by-ancient-wisdom-annual-migration/articleshow/118637614.cms |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Rescue operations ==
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=At least 4 killed, some still missing, in avalanche in India's Uttarakhand |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/1/at-least-4-killed-some-still-missing-in-avalanche-in-indias-uttarakhand |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-02 |title=Uttarakhand avalanche: 46 safe, death toll rises to 8 as last worker's body found |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/uttarakhand-avalanche-race-to-rescue-4-trapped-advanced-drones-to-be-deployed-2687677-2025-03-02 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-03-02 |title=Uttarakhand avalanche rescue: Deaths rise to eight as last body found; search operation concludes |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-avalanche-rescue-search-operation-resumes-to-trace-4-missing-labourers/article69281298.ece |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Uttarakhand avalanche survivors recount harrowing experience |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/uttarakhand-avalanche-survivors-recount-harrowing-experience/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

By March 2, 2025, the last missing worker's body was recovered, marking the completion of the rescue operation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-02 |title=Search operation ends as bodies of 4 remaining missing workers found at Uttarakhand avalanche site, toll rises to 8 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/3-bodies-found-uttarakhand-avalanche-toll-7-missing-9864282/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Impact and aftermath ==
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uttarakhand avalanche: Bodies of four more missing workers recovered, rescue operation ends |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-avalanche-bodies-of-four-more-missing-workers-recovered-from-avalanche-site-rescue-operation-ends-3428291 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-02 |title=Uttarakhand avalanche: Death toll rises to five as search continues for three missing workers - CNBC TV18 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/uttarakhand-avalanche-51-workers-traced-search-continues-for-four-missing-19566936.htm |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en}}</ref>

== Geographical and environmental context ==
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.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Uttarakhand Avalanche: Body Of Last Missing Worker Recovered In Chamoli, Rescue Ops End |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/uttarakhand-avalanche-army-recovers-2-more-bodies-as-search-ops-continue-1-worker-still-missing-2866243.html |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-04 |title=Uttarakhand avalanche: At least 10 dead and dozens missing in Indian Himalayas |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63132996 |access-date=2025-03-02 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[2021 Uttarakhand flood]]
* [[List of avalanches by death toll]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Disasters in India]]
[[Category:February 2025 in India]]
[[Category:Chamoli district]]
[[Category:Border Roads Organisation]]
[[Category:Climate change in India]]

{{Disaster-stub}}

2025 Uttarakhand avalanche - Revision history

AmanGautamArtist at 04:41, 15 March 2026