ISLAMABAD: More than 40 construction workers went missing after an avalanche struck a construction camp in India’s Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Friday, following heavy snowfall, officials reported.
The avalanche hit a camp in Chamoli district, burying workers under snow and debris. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, digging through the snow for hours. Ridhim Agarwal of the state disaster relief force confirmed that 15 workers have been rescued so far, while 42 remain missing.
“Once weather conditions improve, high-altitude rescue teams will be deployed by helicopter,” Agarwal stated.
State police chief Deepam Seth reported that severe weather conditions are hindering rescue efforts. “There have been strong winds and continuous snowfall, and the roads are completely blocked. We have deployed snow cutters to clear the path,” he told NDTV.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow over the tragedy and assured that he was closely monitoring the ongoing rescue operations.
Avalanches and landslides are frequent in the higher Himalayan regions, especially during winter. Scientists warn that climate change, driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, is intensifying these weather events. The rapid pace of development in the fragile Himalayan region has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of deforestation and construction.
In 2021, nearly 100 people died in Uttarakhand when a large glacier chunk fell into a river, causing flash floods. The devastating 2013 monsoon floods and landslides claimed 6,000 lives, further prompting calls for a reevaluation of development projects in the state.
