Uttarakhand avalanche: 3 more bodies found, toll rises to 7
What's the story
The death toll from the avalanche that struck a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district has climbed to seven.
The latest update came after three more bodies were recovered on Sunday.
One worker remains missing since the incident, which took place on February 28 at an altitude of around 3,200 meters near Mana village.
Ongoing efforts
Rescue operations continue amid harsh weather conditions
The Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are continuing rescue operations.
"Search by the Army is in progress for the last man," Lt Colonel Manish Srivastava said.
The rescue operations are being assisted by a drone-based 'intelligent buried object detection system,' five quadcopters, and three mini drones.
Rescue update
50 workers rescued, 23 airlifted for treatment
Despite the inclement weather, with heavy snowfall up to 6-7 feet in some places, 50 workers have been rescued so far. Of these, 23 were airlifted to Jyotimath Military Hospital for treatment.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also conducted an aerial inspection and reviewed rescue operations. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured all possible assistance for the rescue efforts.
Risk assessment
Investigation ordered into potential risks
Dhami also observed that heavy snowfall had frozen the Alaknanda River and ordered investigations into possible risks.
The BRO project, where the avalanche struck, seeks to enhance connectivity between Mana village and Mana Pass near the China border.
The workers were camping in eight containers when disaster struck; rescue teams have traced five containers so far while three remain unlocated due to snow coverage.
Rescue resources
Extensive resources deployed for evacuation and rescue
A total of eight helicopters are engaged in the evacuation process- five from the Army, two from the Air Force, and one civilian helicopter hired by the Army.
Ground penetrating radars and sniffer dogs are also being used to trace missing workers.
Lt Col Srivastava confirmed, "The rescue operation involves our seven officers, 17 Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 150 soldiers."
The operation is led by a team from the IBEX Brigade.