A devastating avalanche struck the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on Friday, claiming at least four lives and leaving many missing. The incident occurred near the village of Mana, close to the border with Tibet, where road construction workers were buried under snow and debris.
Rescue teams, including helicopters, have been mobilized to search for five individuals who are still unaccounted for. So far, around 50 people have been rescued from the site, according to reports from the Indian army.
Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed commitment to providing assistance and urged rescue teams to continue their efforts in this challenging situation. Social media footage showed rescuers struggling through deep snow as fresh snowfall complicated their mission.
Gaurav Kunwar, a former village council member, explained that the affected area is primarily a transient one, housing laborers working on border roads during winter months. The India Meteorological Department had issued warnings about heavy rain and snow for Uttarakhand and neighboring regions, which likely contributed to the avalanche.
