Dozens of construction workers in India‘s Uttarakhand state were rescued after being buried by an avalanche near Mana village on Friday.
The workers, living in metal containers at a construction camp, survived thanks to the oxygen within the containers. Out of 54 workers initially trapped, 46 were rescued in a 60-hour operation involving the Indian Army, disaster response teams, helicopters, and drones. Tragically, eight workers lost their lives.
The avalanche struck during heavy snowfall in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region, where extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Most of the workers were asleep when the avalanche hit, with some containers sliding down the mountain.
The force of the avalanche hurled eight metal containers and a shed down the mountain, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Survivors described the experience as harrowing. Satyaprakash Yadav, a migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh, recounted that the avalanche hit his container like a landslide, causing it to break apart and slide towards a river. He and others managed to escape on their own and found shelter at a nearby army guest house. Another worker, Rajnish Kumar from Uttarkhand’s Pithoragarh town, noted that the army arrived quickly to rescue them after the container sank about 50 to 60 meters down the mountain.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the rescue teams for their efforts under challenging conditions. Many of the rescued workers are receiving treatment at hospitals in Joshimath town and Rishikesh city.
The incident underscores the risks faced by workers in remote areas and the importance of preparedness and emergency response systems.
Avalanches and landslides are common in the higher regions of the Himalayas, especially during winter, and experts warn that climate change is making such events more severe and unpredictable.
Source: BBC
