An avalanche near Mana village in Uttarakhand has trapped 42 construction workers under snow after blizzard-like conditions hit the area. Initially, 57 workers were caught in the avalanche, of which 15 were rescued, but the ongoing harsh weather, including strong winds and heavy snowfall, has made rescue operations challenging. Authorities were warned of potential avalanches since Thursday evening, and while disaster response teams are mobilizing with additional troops and snow-cutters, blocked roads are significantly complicating access to the victims.
Avalanches and landslides are common in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. Scientists have shown that climate change is making weather more severe, supercharged by warmer oceans.
The treacherous weather is hampering their efforts, said Deepam Seth, the state's top police officer. It has been snowing with strong winds. The roads are completely blocked.
We have deployed snow cutters to open the road, he told Indian broadcaster NDTV. Additional troops and equipment are being staged forward to the location.
Disaster response teams are trying to reach the trapped workers at the high-altitude camp, which had been under an avalanche warning since Thursday evening.
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