Avalanche in Northern India Results in Seven Fatalities as Rescue Efforts Continue
Survivors recount harrowing experiences during the avalanche that struck a construction site in Uttarakhand.
The death toll from a recent avalanche in northern India has reached seven, with rescue teams continuing to search for one missing person as of Sunday.
The avalanche occurred on Friday morning at a construction camp near Mana village, close to the border with Tibet in Uttarakhand, where over 50 workers were buried under snow and debris.
Emergency responders have confirmed the retrieval of three bodies, while efforts remain focused on locating the last missing individual.
Authorities revised the number of workers present at the site from 55 to 54, clarifying that one worker had managed to return home before the avalanche struck.
Despite the successful rescue of 50 workers, four of those rescued later succumbed to their injuries.
Anil, a construction worker who survived the avalanche, described the dramatic moments leading up to his rescue after being trapped for hours.
Speaking from a hospital bed, he recounted the chaos as the ground shook and snow engulfed their temporary shelter.
Many workers were asleep at the time of the avalanche, while others were caught in makeshift toilets when the disaster occurred.
The avalanche hit just before 6:00 am, causing the steel containers used by workers to slide and bend under the weight of the snow.
Initial confusion turned to panic as workers inside cried for help, some finding a way to escape while others remained trapped.
In addition to Anil’s harrowing escape story, colleague Vipin Kumar shared his terrifying experience struggling for air under the thick layer of snow.
At an altitude of over 3,200 meters (10,500 feet), temperatures plummeted to minus 12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit), complicating rescue efforts.
The Indian Army has deployed advanced technology to assist in the search, including a drone-based detection system and rescue dogs.
The buried workers were part of a project handled by the Border Roads Organization and lived on-site in containers designed to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of the region.
Local authorities and families expressed gratitude for the prompt actions of the rescue teams, which played a critical role in saving lives amid the dire situation.
Avalanches and landslides are frequent in the upper Himalayas, particularly during the winter months.
Climate scientists have indicated that climate change is exacerbating the severity and frequency of such weather events, while ongoing development in these fragile ecosystems raises concerns about the implications for the environment.
Past incidents in the region, including a 2021 glacier disaster that led to nearly 100 fatalities and devastating floods in 2013 that killed around 6,000, have sparked renewed discussions about the necessity of reviewing development practices in vulnerable areas of Uttarakhand.
The avalanche occurred on Friday morning at a construction camp near Mana village, close to the border with Tibet in Uttarakhand, where over 50 workers were buried under snow and debris.
Emergency responders have confirmed the retrieval of three bodies, while efforts remain focused on locating the last missing individual.
Authorities revised the number of workers present at the site from 55 to 54, clarifying that one worker had managed to return home before the avalanche struck.
Despite the successful rescue of 50 workers, four of those rescued later succumbed to their injuries.
Anil, a construction worker who survived the avalanche, described the dramatic moments leading up to his rescue after being trapped for hours.
Speaking from a hospital bed, he recounted the chaos as the ground shook and snow engulfed their temporary shelter.
Many workers were asleep at the time of the avalanche, while others were caught in makeshift toilets when the disaster occurred.
The avalanche hit just before 6:00 am, causing the steel containers used by workers to slide and bend under the weight of the snow.
Initial confusion turned to panic as workers inside cried for help, some finding a way to escape while others remained trapped.
In addition to Anil’s harrowing escape story, colleague Vipin Kumar shared his terrifying experience struggling for air under the thick layer of snow.
At an altitude of over 3,200 meters (10,500 feet), temperatures plummeted to minus 12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit), complicating rescue efforts.
The Indian Army has deployed advanced technology to assist in the search, including a drone-based detection system and rescue dogs.
The buried workers were part of a project handled by the Border Roads Organization and lived on-site in containers designed to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of the region.
Local authorities and families expressed gratitude for the prompt actions of the rescue teams, which played a critical role in saving lives amid the dire situation.
Avalanches and landslides are frequent in the upper Himalayas, particularly during the winter months.
Climate scientists have indicated that climate change is exacerbating the severity and frequency of such weather events, while ongoing development in these fragile ecosystems raises concerns about the implications for the environment.
Past incidents in the region, including a 2021 glacier disaster that led to nearly 100 fatalities and devastating floods in 2013 that killed around 6,000, have sparked renewed discussions about the necessity of reviewing development practices in vulnerable areas of Uttarakhand.
