At least four individuals have tragically lost their lives and multiple others remain unaccounted for following an avalanche in Uttarakhand, India. The incident, which occurred in the village of Mana near the Tibet border, targeted road construction workers. Authorities launched a substantial rescue operation shortly after the avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation camp on Friday.
The Indian Army reported that out of approximately 50 individuals buried under snow and debris, rescuers successfully extracted many, though the fatalities were a devastating outcome. In a bid to locate five missing persons, helicopters have been dispatched to assist in the ongoing search efforts.
Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that rescue teams are fully mobilized and "continuously engaged in relief efforts." He emphasized the government's dedication to aiding those affected by this disaster during a critical time.
Footage shared on X by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police showcased rescuers navigating through deep snow while transporting individuals to safety amidst persistent snowfall.
Gaurav Kunwar, a former village council member from Mana, reported that the avalanche occurred in a site typically inhabited by seasonal laborers working on border roads, highlighting the area's migratory nature. He noted that the region had experienced two days of continuous rain leading up to the avalanche, exacerbating the already treacherous conditions.
Additionally, the India Meteorological Department issued warnings of heavy precipitation, including snow in northern Indian states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, with orange alerts for several districts in these regions.
