An avalanche in Uttarakhand, India, has left over 40 construction workers missing after heavy snowfall. Rescuers have found 15 workers safe but face challenges due to adverse weather conditions. The Chief Minister is monitoring the situation, while experts warn that climate change increases the frequency and severity of such events.
On Friday, an avalanche struck a construction camp in Uttarakhand, India, leading to the disappearance of over 40 construction workers due to heavy snowfall. Rescue teams have been tirelessly searching the area, with Ridhim Agarwal from the state disaster relief force confirming that 15 workers have been found safe, while 42 remain unaccounted for. The avalanche buried the workers beneath significant snow and debris, complicating rescue efforts.
Difficult weather conditions have hindered rescue operations, according to Deepam Seth, the chief police officer of the state. “It has been snowing with strong winds… The roads are completely blocked. We have deployed snow cutters to open the road,” he informed NDTV. Authorities plan to dispatch high-altitude rescue teams by helicopter once the weather permits.
Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, expressed his sorrow regarding the incident and assured that he was closely overseeing the rescue operations. Avalanches and landslides are unfortunately common in the northern Himalayan region, particularly during winter.
Scientists have indicated that climate change exacerbates the severity of extreme weather events. Global warming caused by fossil fuel combustion is melting winter snow and ice at an accelerated pace, leading to more unpredictable and intense storms. The United Nations emphasized in a recent report that urgent changes in global policies are necessary to mitigate the most severe consequences of climate change.
The increasing development in these delicate Himalayan areas raises concerns about the adverse impacts of deforestation and construction practices. Past tragedies, such as the 2021 flash floods that claimed nearly 100 lives due to falling glaciers and the devastating floods in 2013 that killed 6,000 people, have prompted calls for a reassessment of development activities in the region.
The tragedy caused by the avalanche in Uttarakhand highlights the vulnerabilities of construction workers in extreme weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change and rapid development. While many workers remain missing, rescue efforts are underway despite challenging conditions. The incident raises essential questions about the safety measures in place for workers in such hazardous environments and the urgent need for climate action to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
