Dozens Fear Missing After Avalanche Hits Indian Himalayas

Uttarakhand police confirm ongoing rescue operations for workers missing after a massive avalanche, with treacherous conditions complicating the situation.

In a distressing incident, at least 41 road workers have been reported trapped following a significant avalanche in the remote border area of Uttarakhand, India. This incident took place at a camp of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Mana, an area that borders Tibet and is susceptible to severe weather conditions.

According to police spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharne, 16 workers have been successfully rescued and are currently receiving care at a nearby army camp. Sandeep Tiwari, a senior district official, reported to BBC Hindi that there has been no information about the potential fatalities as rescue efforts continue.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has confirmed on social media that multiple teams, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and BRO, are engaged in the rescue operations. However, challenging weather conditions, including ongoing rain and snowfall, have made these efforts particularly difficult.

Colonel Ankur Mahajan from the BRO informed the Hindustan Times that while the rescued individuals are receiving treatment, the severity of their injuries remains unclear. Gaurav Kunwar, a former village council member from Mana, described the region as a migratory area that only houses seasonal workers during the winter months. Local reports indicate the area has been facing heavy rains for the past two days, which may have contributed to the avalanche's occurrence.

Earlier on Friday, the India Meteorological Department forecasted severe weather across northern Indian states, including Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, issuing orange alerts for heavy snowfall. The situation continues to develop as emergency teams remain on alert.