In a tragic incident, an avalanche in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand has resulted in the death of at least four individuals, with several others still missing. The devastating event occurred on Friday in the village of Mana, which is located near the Tibetan border. A rescue operation has been launched to locate and assist those affected by the disaster.
Initial reports indicate that the avalanche struck a camp where road construction workers were stationed, burying around 50 people under snow and debris. Emergency responders have successfully rescued many of these individuals; however, four succumbed to their injuries, as reported by the Indian Army. Helicopters have been deployed to aid in the search for five missing individuals in this mountainous region.
Rescue operations and government response
Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, assured the public that rescue teams are “continuously engaged in relief efforts” following the avalanche. The incident specifically impacted a camp belonging to the Border Roads Organisation. The Chief Minister emphasized the commitment of the government to provide all possible assistance during this critical time.
Footage shared on social media by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police captured the challenging conditions faced by rescuers, who were seen transporting victims on stretchers while navigating through deep snow, even as fresh snowfall continued.
Local insights and weather warnings
Gaurav Kunwar, a former village council member from Mana, provided insights into the region, describing it as a “migratory area” where permanent residents are scarce. He noted, “Only labourers working on border roads stay there in the winter.” He mentioned that there is also a military presence in the vicinity, and indicated that heavy rainfall had been affecting the area for two days prior to the avalanche, impacting the conditions on the ground.
In light of the severe weather, the India Meteorological Department issued warnings for heavy rainfall and snowfall across northern Indian states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. Orange alerts have been activated for multiple districts in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the ongoing risk of adverse weather conditions.