Eight road construction workers tragically lost their lives after being trapped under an avalanche in the village of Mana, in the state of Uttarakhand, northern India. The workers, part of the Border Roads Organization, were buried by snow early on Friday as the avalanche hit their camp site. Rescue efforts were hampered by extreme weather conditions, with snowfall and rain causing delays in the operation. Ultimately, 46 workers were evacuated, with many in critical condition, and taken by helicopters to hospitals in neighboring Joshimath.
Disaster response teams used GPS, sniffer dogs, and thermal imaging cameras to locate the trapped workers. The Indian Army reported that the rescue operation was challenging due to the inclement weather and treacherous conditions. The rescued workers were found several feet under the snow and had to be carefully extracted.
The village of Mana, situated at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, is known for being close to the Tibetan border and is a gateway for Himalayan mountain treks. The area is susceptible to avalanches, as evidenced by the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 11 people in 2021. Uttarakhand has a history of natural disasters, including a devastating flood in 2013 that killed over 1,000 people.
The Indian Meteorological Department warned of the possibility of further avalanches in the region, underscoring the importance of disaster preparedness and awareness in the area. The loss of lives in this recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those working in the region’s mountainous terrain.
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