DEHRADUN, India — Search operations are ongoing in northern India to rescue workers caught in an avalanche incident. Authorities have successfully retrieved 47 individuals who were trapped, but eight workers remain unaccounted for as of Saturday. The avalanche struck a construction camp near a village along the Tibet border in Chamoli district, burying a total of 55 workers under snow and debris on Friday. Uttarakhand state chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has affirmed that relief and rescue missions are in full swing, further aided by improving weather conditions in the region. Efforts are being intensified to ensure the safe evacuation of all trapped workers at the earliest. Local authorities confirmed that 47 people have been rescued, with rescue teams continuing their search for the remaining eight individuals. Army medical personnel deployed at the site have conducted critical surgeries to save the lives of those severely injured. The Mana village, situated on the Tibet border, has been deserted as residents relocated to lower elevations to avoid harsh weather conditions. Avalanches and landslides are recurrent in the Himalayan highlands, particularly during the winter season. Scientists attribute the heightened severity of weather events to climate change driven by human activities such as fossil fuel consumption, accentuated by warmer oceans. The rapid development in delicate Himalayan territories has raised concerns regarding the impacts of deforestation and construction activities. Recent incidents like the 2021 Uttarakhand disaster, where nearly 100 people perished due to glacier melt leading to flash floods, underscore the vulnerability of the region. Similarly, the catastrophic monsoon floods and landslides in 2013 claimed 6,000 lives, prompting a reassessment of development initiatives in the state.
Rescue Efforts in Progress After Avalanche Hits Workers in Chamoli District
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