A massive avalanche struck near Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday, trapping 57 workers at a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site. So far, 33 people have been rescued and shifted to an ITBP camp in Mana for treatment, while rescue teams continue efforts to save the remaining workers.
Mana, located 55 km from the India-China border, is a well-known tourist destination once referred to as “the last village of India” but now recognized as “the first Indian village” before the border. Every year, residents migrate to lower altitudes between November and April to escape extreme winter temperatures, which often plunge below -17°C.
At the time of the avalanche, the village was deserted, with its residents staying in Gopeshwar, the district headquarters, about 100 km away. The locals, primarily engaged in handicrafts and woolen sales, return to Mana in April-May when the Char Dham Yatra begins.
The avalanche struck a high-altitude area where BRO labourers were stationed for an ongoing road development project. Former village pradhan Bhagat Singh confirmed that the village itself was unaffected, as only Army and BRO personnel remained in the area during winter.
Local authorities, ITBP, and BRO teams are leading the rescue mission. The nearest hospital is 3 km away in Badrinath, adding to the challenge of treating the injured.
Situated along the Alaknanda River, Mana has deep connections to the Mahabharata, with legends claiming the Pandavas passed through the village on their way to heaven. Pilgrims visiting Badrinath Dham often travel 3 km further to explore its historic sites.
Other high-altitude villages in Chamoli, such as Dronagiri, Malari, Kailashpur, and Niti, also experience seasonal migration like Mana. The region remains a critical part of Uttarakhand’s cultural and strategic landscape, despite its harsh winter conditions.