Avalanche Strikes Construction Camp in India, Eight Workers Confirmed Dead

Rescue teams faced severe conditions to evacuate surviving workers while meteorological alerts indicate potential for more avalanches in the area.

Eight road construction workers lost their lives after an avalanche struck their camp in northern India’s Uttarakhand state, according to a statement from the Indian Army on Sunday. The tragic incident occurred early Friday in Mana village, where several feet of snow buried the workers. Rescuers were able to evacuate another 46 workers trapped beneath the snow.

The response teams faced daunting weather conditions, including persistent snowfall and rain that interrupted rescue operations multiple times. Advanced technologies such as GPS, sniffer dogs, and thermal imaging cameras were employed to locate the buried workers.

Those rescued were airlifted to hospitals in nearby Joshimath, with many reported in critical condition. The workers were affiliated with the Border Roads Organization, which is responsible for constructing and maintaining the road network in India’s border regions.

Situated at an elevation of 3,200 meters (over 10,000 feet) and roughly 15 miles from the Tibetan border, Mana sees its population migrate to lower altitudes during the harsh winter months to evade the heavy snowfalls.

Uttarakhand is highly susceptible to natural disasters, particularly avalanches and floods. One of the nation’s most devastating calamities occurred in 2013 when severe flooding took the lives of more than 1,000 individuals. Additionally, another avalanche claimed 11 lives in 2021 at a Border Roads Organization camp in the same district as Mana.

Pragati K.B. reports from New Delhi, covering news throughout India.