At least four individuals have tragically lost their lives and multiple people remain unaccounted for following a devastating avalanche in Uttarakhand, a mountainous state in northern India. The incident occurred on Friday as a group of road construction workers were caught in the natural disaster near the village of Mana, which borders Tibet.
Authorities reported that approximately 50 workers buried under the snow and debris have been rescued; however, four individuals succumbed to their injuries. In a bid to locate five missing persons, helicopters have been deployed for aerial searches across the snow-laden terrain of this Himalayan region.
Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, stated that the rescue teams are "continuously engaged in relief efforts," emphasizing that the government is dedicated to offering all necessary support during this critical time. The avalanche struck a camp operated by the Border Roads Organisation, where primarily seasonal workers reside.
Footage shared on social media platforms reveals rescuers transporting injured individuals on stretchers through deep snow while snowfall persisted in the area. Gaurav Kunwar, a former local village council member, informed BBC News that the affected area mainly accommodates laborers who work on border roads during the winter months.
He mentioned that there is a limited permanent population in Mana, highlighting that the region is often prone to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the India Meteorological Department issued warnings for heavy rain and snow across northern states including Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, alongside orange alerts for snowfall in specific districts of these regions. Local officials and rescue teams remain dedicated to finding those still missing amidst challenging weather conditions.
