Chamoli, Uttarakhand: A devastating avalanche struck the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana village on the India-Tibet border early Friday morning, leaving four dead and five workers still missing.

Rescue teams have managed to save 50 workers so far, all of whom are receiving treatment at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp in Mana. Rescue operations have been challenging due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility. Over 65 personnel worked through nearly seven feet of snow overnight in a desperate bid to locate the trapped workers.

The urgency has increased as the state's Meteorological Department has issued a fresh warning for rain and snowfall in Chamoli district. The avalanche hit between 5:30 am and 6:00 am on Friday, burying the BRO camp under deep snow. The Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade, a specialized high-altitude rescue team, was immediately deployed. More than 100 personnel, including doctors and ambulances, were sent to the site to assist in the rescue mission.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed four teams to Chamoli, with another four units on standby, according to NDRF Director General Piyush Anand. Two teams were dispatched from Dehradun, while two others were redirected from Joshimath, where they were undergoing a routine training exercise.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the rescue operation on Saturday morning, sending Mi-17 helicopters to assist in the search. The Mana helipad was opened, allowing 14 civilians to be airlifted to safety, including one in critical condition. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority has released a list of trapped workers, revealing they hail from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. However, details on the exact number from each state remain unclear.

With five workers still missing, search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing, as teams race against time before worsening weather conditions complicate the operation further.