New Delhi, India – Authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand are racing against time to locate at least 25 individuals who are trapped after an avalanche hit a labor camp, burying dozens under a thick blanket of snow.
The avalanche, triggered by blizzard-like conditions, occurred on Friday near a highway in the state’s Chamoli region, bordering Tibet. The incident struck a labor site operated by the federal Border Roads Organization (BRO), where 57 workers were inside eight containers and one shed when they were engulfed by the snow, according to a statement from the Indian army.
While rescuers have managed to locate five of the containers, the search for the remaining three continues. Despite the successful rescue of 32 workers, authorities are facing challenges due to strong winds and ongoing snowfall, hindering rescue operations in the area.
State officials, including Chamoli’s District Administrator and the top police officer, have been coordinating rescue efforts to reach those still trapped. High-altitude rescue teams are on standby to be deployed via helicopter once weather conditions improve in the region.
Weather authorities in India have predicted heavy to very heavy snowfall in Uttarakhand through Friday before subsiding significantly. The state’s chief minister expressed sadness over the incident and assured the public of actively monitoring the ongoing rescue operations.
The occurrence of avalanches and landslides in the Himalayan region is not uncommon, with scientists linking the intensification of severe weather events to climate change. The rapid development and environmental stress on these fragile areas have raised concerns about the consequences of deforestation and construction activities in the region. In recent years, similar disasters have claimed lives and underscored the need for sustainable development practices to mitigate risks in vulnerable areas.
As rescue efforts continue in Uttarakhand, another rescue operation is also underway in the southern Indian town of Nagarkurnool, where workers remain trapped in a collapsed tunnel. The incidents highlight the dangers faced by laborers working in challenging environments and the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
