Avalanche Traps 41 Workers in Uttarakhand as Rescue Efforts Face Challenges

In a tragic turn of events, at least 41 individuals remain trapped under snow following a devastating avalanche in Uttarakhand, India. The incident, triggered by recent heavy snowfall, occurred near a highway in the Chamoli region, close to the revered Badrinath temple, a significant pilgrimage site for countless devotees.

The avalanche struck a labor site operated by the federal Border Roads Organisation (BRO), burying eight containers and a shed with 57 workers inside. According to an Indian Army statement, five of the containers have been located, while the search for the remaining three continues.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reported that 16 workers have been rescued so far, with no confirmed casualties. However, the ongoing adverse weather conditions, including rain and snowfall, are hampering rescue efforts. Chamoli’s District Administrator, Sandeep Tiwari, noted that these conditions are restricting mobility and affecting helicopter services.

The Indian Meteorological Department forecasts “heavy to very heavy” snowfall—defined as at least 12 centimeters—across the state through Friday, with conditions expected to improve afterward. Two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are also facing delays in reaching the affected workers, as reported by NDRF official Mohsen Shahedi.

Uttarakhand, nestled in the Himalayas, has become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters like flash floods and landslides due to rising global temperatures. Environmentalists are calling for a reassessment of power projects and development initiatives in the region. This latest avalanche follows previous tragedies, including a glacier collapse in February 2021 that resulted in at least 80 fatalities, and another avalanche in 2022 that claimed 16 lives.