Tragic Avalanche Strikes Uttarakhand Construction Site
On Friday, a devastating avalanche struck a highway construction site near Mana Pass in Uttarakhand, India, resulting in the deaths of at least four construction workers. The incident occurred close to the border with Tibet, where a crew was engaged in widening and blacktopping a 50-kilometer stretch of highway from Mana to Mana Pass.
Rescue Operations: Dozens Rescued, Several Still Missing
The avalanche initially trapped 57 workers under the snow. Rescue teams successfully extricated 50 individuals; however, four succumbed to their injuries. Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining five missing workers, with multiple rescue teams and military helicopters deployed despite challenging weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and poor visibility.
Previous Disasters in the Region
The ecologically sensitive Himalayan region has experienced similar tragedies in recent years. In 2022, an avalanche claimed the lives of 27 trainee mountaineers in Uttarakhand. A year earlier, a glacier burst in the state led to a flash flood, resulting in over 200 fatalities.
