An avalanche in northern India has resulted in the deaths of four construction workers, with ongoing rescue efforts for five individuals still missing. The incident took place near the Mana Pass, impacting a highway project involving many migrant laborers. Rescuers face substantial challenges due to heavy snowfall and harsh weather conditions.
At least four construction workers lost their lives due to an avalanche that struck during their work on a highway near the mountainous border of Tibet in northern India, as reported by the Indian army on Saturday. The tragic event occurred near the Mana Pass in Uttarakhand state on Friday, with 55 workers initially trapped under the snow. Rescuers managed to retrieve 50 individuals, although four of them succumbed to their injuries afterward.
The Indian army confirmed ongoing search efforts for five workers still unaccounted for, involving multiple rescue teams and military helicopters conducting scans of the site. While the number of injured was not specified, authorities indicated that those injured were being prioritized for evacuation. Senior administrative official Chandrashekhar Vashistha noted that some workers suffering from serious injuries have been hospitalized.
Many affected individuals were migrant laborers engaged in a highway widening and blacktopping project spanning a 50-kilometer stretch from Mana village to the Mana Pass, which borders Tibet. Kamlesh Kamal, spokesperson for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, remarked on the plight of the rescue operations, stating, “Rescue operations were slow due to heavy snowfall, and the area remained inaccessible.” Rescuers faced considerable challenges from substantial snow depths, severe snowstorms, and low visibility conditions.
The avalanche occurred in the ecologically vulnerable Himalayan region, which has increasingly been affected by climate change, making it susceptible to both avalanches and flash floods. A somber reminder of the region’s dangers, a similar incident in 2022 resulted in the deaths of 27 trainee mountaineers, while a glacier burst in 2021 caused a flash flood that claimed over 200 lives.
The tragic avalanche in Uttarakhand has resulted in the deaths of four construction workers, with ongoing efforts to locate five missing individuals. The rescue operations are hampered by severe weather conditions, highlighting the dangers of working in ecologically sensitive areas. This incident underscores the risks associated with construction work in the Himalayan region, which has faced increased natural calamities due to climate change.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
