Four construction workers die in avalanche in India
- An avalanche struck on Friday in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India, trapping 55 construction workers.
- Rescue operations faced challenges due to heavy snowfall, but 50 workers were rescued, and four were confirmed dead.
- The incident highlights increasing risks of natural disasters in ecologically sensitive regions due to climate change.
In northern India, specifically in the state of Uttarakhand, a tragic incident occurred when an avalanche struck a group of 55 construction workers on Friday. The avalanche took place near the Mana Pass, close to the mountainous border with Tibet. These workers were part of a highway widening project when they became trapped under several feet of snow. Efforts to rescue the workers were severely hampered by ongoing heavy snowfall, making the area difficult to access. Rescue teams were put together to respond to the disaster, and after strenuous efforts, 50 workers were successfully pulled from the snow; however, four of them were reported dead shortly after rescue. Heavy snowfall complicated the situation for rescuers as visibility was poor, and communication was limited in the remote area. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari highlighted the challenges of reaching the site, noting that satellite phones were not available, which hindered effective communication. The ongoing rescue effort involved approximately 170 soldiers and medical teams who worked tirelessly in perilous conditions. Although numerous workers were rescued, the search continued for five missing individuals, as the weather remained treacherous. The workers involved in the project were primarily migrant laborers engaged in constructing a crucial highway linking the Mana Pass. This area of the Himalayas is known for its ecological sensitivity and vulnerability to natural disasters such as avalanches and landslides. Experts have long warned that large construction endeavors in delicate environments contribute to the risks posed by climate change, exacerbating the already perilous conditions in such regions. In recent years, Uttarakhand has been the site of several deadly avalanches and related disasters. In 2022, an avalanche claimed the lives of 27 trainee mountaineers in the same region, while a previous glacier burst resulted in flash floods that took over 200 lives. The combination of climate change and increased construction activities in the Himalayas raises concerns over future disasters, leading to calls for better risk management and disaster preparedness in vulnerable communities.