A devastating avalanche in Uttarakhand has resulted in at least four fatalities, with ongoing search operations for several missing individuals. The incident occurred in the village of Mana, where road construction workers were caught in the avalanche amidst heavy snowfall.
Avalanche Tragedy in Uttarakhand Claims Four Lives as Search Efforts Continue
Avalanche Tragedy in Uttarakhand Claims Four Lives as Search Efforts Continue
Rescue teams work tirelessly in the aftermath of a devastating avalanche in Uttarakhand, India, leaving multiple casualties and several still missing.
At least four individuals have tragically lost their lives and several more are unaccounted for following a significant avalanche that struck the mountainous region of Uttarakhand, northern India. Authorities reported that the disaster occurred in the village of Mana, which borders Tibet, as road construction workers were swept away by the avalanche on Friday.
Rescue operations have been launched, with around 50 people rescued from beneath the snow and debris. Despite these efforts, the Indian Army confirmed that four individuals succumbed to their injuries during the incident. Helicopters are now being utilized to facilitate searches for five individuals who remain missing in this difficult terrain.
Uttarakhand’s state chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, assured that rescue teams are "continuously engaged in relief efforts" after the avalanche impacted a camp managed by the Border Roads Organisation. He reiterated the government's commitment to providing comprehensive support to the impacted communities amidst this crisis.
In video footage shared on social media platform X, rescuers could be seen transporting victims on stretchers while navigating through deep snow, even as ongoing snowfall complicated the situation.
Gaurav Kunwar, a former village council member of Mana, explained that the area was a "migratory site" primarily occupied by temporary laborers working on border road construction during winter. Local reports indicate that adverse weather, including heavy rain and snow, has persisted in the region for two days leading up to the avalanche.
The India Meteorological Department has since issued warnings for further rain and snow across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, along with orange alerts in several districts, reinforcing concerns about additional avalanches or related incidents in the region.
