Uttarakhand, Mar 2: A team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) based in Joshimath departed for the Badrinath Dham on Sunday, equipped with a victim locating camera and thermal imaging camera, to search for the remaining workers trapped in the avalanche that hit near the BRO camp close to Mana village in Chamoli district on February 28.
On the second day of the rescue efforts following the avalanche, the SDRF communication team utilized a manpack repeater to assist in locating the missing BRO workers.
According to the District Magistrate of Chamoli, out of the 54 BRO workers affected by the avalanche on February 28, 50 have been rescued, though four have unfortunately lost their lives and four remain unaccounted for.
Chamoli DM Sandeep Tiwari reported that the deaths of four workers have been confirmed, while four others are still unaccounted for. “Initially, we reported a total of 55, but we later learned that one worker was on unauthorized leave and has since returned home. The total has now been adjusted to 54, with 4 individuals still unaccounted for,” he stated.
Additionally, a drone-based intelligent buried object detection system was transported by the Indian Air Force to aid in the search and rescue operations for the five missing BRO workers involved in the incident.
Following directives from Inspector General of Police SDRF Ridhim Agarwal, a specialized SDRF team was airlifted via helicopter from Sahastradhara to the incident site, carrying a Victim Locating Camera (V.L.C.) and a Thermal Image Camera to aid in the search for the missing workers. The search will be conducted using these advanced devices (Victim Locating Camera (V.L.C) and Thermal Image Camera).
Injured BRO workers were flown from the Army helipad in Joshimath for further medical care at the Joshimath Army Hospital.
As per the guidance of Inspector General of Police SDRF Ridhim Agarwal, a specialized SDRF team has been dispatched to the incident area via helicopter from Sahastradhara, equipped with a Victim Locating Camera (V.L.C) and Thermal Image Camera to locate the missing workers. The search will rely on these technologies (Victim Locating Camera (V.L.C) and Thermal Image Camera). (Agencies)
