Avalanche in Northern India Claims Lives of Construction Workers
An avalanche in northern India has led to the deaths of at least four construction workers, while rescue operations continue to locate five missing individuals. The event occurred near the Mana Pass in Uttarakhand state, significantly affecting migrant laborers involved in a highway project. Despite challenges due to harsh weather, efforts are underway to assist those injured and locate remaining workers.
On Friday, in northern Uttarakhand state near the Mana Pass, an avalanche killed at least four construction workers who were part of a large crew working to widen and blacktop a highway near the Tibetan border. The tragedy occurred when the avalanche swept through the area, trapping 55 workers under snow, of whom 50 were rescued but four succumbed to their injuries later.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as the Indian Army and multiple teams continue to search for five workers still unaccounted for, despite challenging weather conditions like heavy snowfall and poor visibility that have hampered operations. The rescuers are utilizing military helicopters to scan the incident site.
Chandrashekhar Vashistha, a senior administrative official, described that some workers sustained serious injuries and have been hospitalized. This incident is particularly concerning due to its location in an ecologically sensitive area of the Himalayas, which is increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters like avalanches and flash floods due to climate change.
The tragic avalanche in Uttarakhand claims the lives of at least four workers among a larger group employed in a highway construction project. With ongoing rescue operations hampered by severe weather, officials are working diligently to locate and assist the remaining missing workers. The vulnerability of this region to natural disasters underscores the pressing implications of global warming.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
