In brief
An avalanche in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand has resulted in at least four confirmed deaths and left several individuals missing. The incident occurred in the village of Mana, close to the Tibetan border, where road construction workers were caught by the sudden snowslide on Friday. While approximately 50 individuals trapped under snow and debris were rescued, four succumbed to injuries. The Indian army is actively involved in ongoing search efforts for five people who remain unaccounted for, deploying helicopters to assist in the operation.
Uttarakhand's chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, confirmed that rescue teams are tirelessly working to aid those affected by this tragic event, which struck a camp operated by the Border Roads Organisation. He emphasized the government's dedication to providing assistance during this challenging time. Footage shared by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police depicted rescuers carrying injured individuals on stretchers through deep snow, exacerbated by continuing snowfall.Gaurav Kunwar, a former village council member from Mana, described the impact of the avalanche, noting that the area is typically a migratory location for workers and not home to permanent residents. He mentioned that the road laborers had been stationed there for winter work, alongside a small army presence. The India Meteorological Department has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rainfall and snowfall in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, indicating that conditions may worsen. Orange alerts for snowfall have been raised in various districts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, as the region grapples with this natural disaster.
