Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India], March 2 – NDRF Commander Sudesh Kumar confirmed that NDRF personnel are working alongside the Indian Air Force to intensify the search operations following the devastating avalanche in Chamoli district on February 28.
Sudesh Kumar shared that the NDRF team, in collaboration with the Air Force, is using advanced equipment, including dog squads and devices capable of detecting objects buried under the snow, to assist with the ongoing search and rescue efforts. “We have sent dog squads and some equipment that detects objects buried under the snow. ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, Air Force, and Army are all cooperating in this rescue operation,” he said.
Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari provided further updates, stating that the rescue operations began early in the morning at 7 AM, with clear weather aiding the efforts. He mentioned that seven Army and Air Force helicopters have been deployed for the rescue operation, along with specialized equipment and sniffer dog squads in Mana for the ongoing search.
The recovery of one more missing individual on Sunday has increased the death toll from the avalanche to five. The body was being brought to the Mana post as per a statement from the PRO (Defence), Dehradun. Rescue teams are still working to locate the remaining three missing workers.
Army PRO Lt Col Manish Srivastava assured that senior Army officials are closely monitoring the rescue operation. “Our army doctors are successfully treating the injured, and if necessary, they will be shifted to higher medical facilities,” he said.
Brigade GSO 1 Lt Col Devendra confirmed that 46 injured individuals are being treated at Joshimath Army Hospital. Four deaths have been confirmed, and one critically injured worker was airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for further care. The BRO (Border Roads Organisation) is expected to release the names of the deceased soon.
In a bid to enhance search efforts, the Indian Air Force deployed a Mi-17 helicopter to airlift a drone-based Intelligent Buried Object detection system for the ongoing operations. Additionally, IAF Cheetah helicopters have been engaged in the rescue work since Saturday.
Meanwhile, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has sent an expert team to the site of the avalanche, equipped with a Victim Locating Camera (VLC) and Thermal Image Camera. The search will continue using these advanced tools, which will help in locating the missing workers still trapped in the snow.