"Rescue and relief operations taking place swiftly," Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Secretary on Chamoli avalanche

Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India], March 1 (ANI): Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman on Saturday said that the rescue and relief operations are taking place swiftly and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is monitoring the ongoing rescue operation.
"Inclement weather persists there. The Chief Minister is continuously monitoring the situation. He visited the control room twice yesterday. He sought a detailed update on everything. Rescue and relief operations are taking place swiftly," Vinod Kumar Suman told ANI.
He further said that the efforts to rescue 22 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers are underway.
"33 out of 55 people were rescued until yesterday. 22 people still remain to be rescued. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing for them," he added.
He further said that more than 200 people are ready to be dispatched to the spot for rescue operations.
"Four helicopters are operational. If needed, more facilities will be put in use. One Mi-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force is on standby; once the weather clears, it will be here. The weather is clearing in Joshimath. We are setting up a helipad near Mana because our helipad is covered with snow. Snow-clearing operations are ongoing. We hope that after the helipad is prepared, the rescue and relief operations will further speed up," Suman said.
Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Secretary said that due to continuous snowfall, rescue was halted at night.
"The rescue was halted at night because there was continuous snowfall...To ensure that there was no threat to rescue and relief teams, the operation was halted at night. It has resumed this morning...Our medical team in Joshimath is ready. They have all the necessary medicines...They have been briefed. Army, ITBP, BRO, NDRF, SDRF, Health Department, District Administration, Police Administration are working diligently," he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 33 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers trapped under an avalanche near Mana village in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district have been rescued, officials said on Saturday.
The Uttarakhand government, on Friday, issued helpline numbers for people to get assistance or information related to the avalanche.
According to the Uttarakhand government's Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), people are encouraged to contact the helpline numbers, which are being operated through the state emergency operation centre of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority.
The Uttarakhand government has issued the following helpline numbers: Mobile No: 8218867005, 9058441404; Telephone No: 0135 2664315; Toll Free No: 1070. (ANI)