An avalanche in Uttarakhand, India, has trapped at least 41 workers engaged in road construction. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with 16 individuals having been saved thus far. The operation faces delays due to adverse weather conditions, while concerns about the health of those rescued remain. The Himalayan region is notably prone to such incidents, particularly due to climate change.
A recent avalanche in the Indian Himalayas has left at least 41 individuals trapped. This incident occurred in the Chamoli region of Uttarakhand, while workers were involved in road construction near a highway. Initial reports indicated that 57 workers were buried under the snow; however, 16 have been rescued so far. Of these, five individuals are reported to be in serious condition and have been transferred to a military facility for medical treatment.
The rescue operation is being conducted by the Indian army, with approximately 150 soldiers participating, alongside the national and state disaster response forces. However, adverse weather conditions are significantly hindering the efforts of the rescue teams. Chamoli district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari stated, “Currently, the rescue operation is slow because we are facing difficulties in movement due to active rainfall.”
The avalanche struck an area approximately 3 miles from the renowned Badrinath temple, which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. The Himalayan region is vulnerable to such natural disasters, as evidenced by the deadly avalanche that claimed the lives of 27 trainee mountaineers in Uttarakhand in 2022. Local officials have not yet issued any reports of casualties related to the current incident.
The avalanche in the Indian Himalayas has resulted in 41 individuals being trapped, with rescue operations currently underway. Adverse weather conditions are posing significant challenges to the rescue efforts, though some individuals have been successfully rescued. This incident underscores the dangers present in the Himalayan region, which frequently experiences avalanches exacerbated by climate change.
Original Source: news.sky.com
