At least four lives have been lost, and the search continues for several missing individuals following a devastating avalanche in Uttarakhand, a mountainous state in northern India. The avalanche struck on Friday, targeting a construction camp where road workers were present in the village of Mana, located near the Tibetan border.
Rescue operations were initiated promptly, with around 50 individuals previously trapped under the snow and debris rescued. However, the Indian army confirmed that four people succumbed to their injuries as efforts persist to find five individuals who remain missing.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured that rescue teams were tirelessly working to support the affected community and provide necessary assistance during this crisis.
Recent footage shared on social media showcased the intense work of rescuers, who were seen transporting injured individuals on stretchers through thick layers of snow, even as adverse weather conditions with continued snowfall persisted.
Gaurav Kunwar, a former local village council member, shared insights that the avalanche affected a "migratory area," typically uninhabited apart from seasonal laborers working on border roads and some military personnel.
The region has faced heavy rainfall and snowfall warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department, with orange alerts in place for various districts in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
