The search and rescue operation in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district has come to a grim conclusion. Authorities confirmed that the last four missing workers have been found dead, raising the total death toll to eight after an avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site on Friday.
Final Recovery Brings Search Effort to a Close
The disaster, which buried living quarters made from shipping containers, initially left several workers unaccounted for. With 54 workers present at the site when the avalanche hit, 46 were rescued successfully. Over the weekend, rescue teams discovered four bodies on Saturday and the remaining four on Sunday.
The final recoveries mark the end of a multi-agency search effort that involved personnel from the Army, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local authorities. The challenging terrain and sub-zero temperatures added to the difficulty of the operation.
High-Tech Rescue Efforts and Massive Airlift
The rescue operation was nothing short of extensive, involving:
- Eight helicopters: Five from the Army, two from the Air Force, and one civilian chopper hired by the Army.
- Drone-based ‘intelligent buried object detection system,’ which was airlifted from Delhi to aid in locating victims.
- Five quadcopters and three mini-drones used for aerial surveillance and search efforts.
Authorities ensured that the 46 rescued workers received immediate medical attention. Of them, 44 were treated at the military hospital in Joshimath and reported to be stable. Two workers, who were critically injured, were transferred to AIIMS Rishikesh and are said to be improving.
Identifying the Deceased
The eight workers who lost their lives have been identified as:
| Name | State |
|---|---|
| Mohinder Pal | Himachal Pradesh |
| Harmesh Chand | Himachal Pradesh |
| Jitender Singh | Uttar Pradesh |
| Manjeet Yadav | Uttar Pradesh |
| Alok Yadav | Uttar Pradesh |
| Ashok Paswan | Uttar Pradesh |
| Anil Kumar | Uttarakhand |
| Arvind Kumar Singh | Uttarakhand |
Families of the deceased were informed, and arrangements are being made to transport the bodies to their respective hometowns. The tragic news has left many in mourning, with families recalling their last conversations with their loved ones, hoping they would return safely.
‘If Only He Had Returned’ – Families Grieve
For the families of the deceased, the wait for news ended in heartbreak. Many had spent the past couple of days making desperate calls, hoping for a miracle. Instead, they received the devastating confirmation of their worst fears.
One of the victims, Jitender Singh, had spoken to his family just hours before the avalanche hit. His father, now inconsolable, recalls their last conversation, “He said the weather was bad, but he would be careful. If only he had returned.”
Similar stories are emerging from villages across Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where communities are grieving the loss of their breadwinners. The state government has promised compensation for the families, though no amount can replace the loss suffered.
