India Avalanche Rescue Enters Third Day as Four Workers Remain Missing

Rescue operations in Uttarakhand, India, have entered their third day after an avalanche struck a construction camp near the Tibet border, trapping over 50 workers. While all 50 were rescued, four later succumbed to their injuries, and four others remain missing. Efforts to locate them continue with the use of ground-penetrating radar, drones, and sniffer dogs.

One worker, initially believed to be trapped, was later found safe. However, extreme cold and heavy snowfall are complicating the search and increasing the risk of further avalanches. Rescue teams have also confirmed that all steel containers used as shelters during the incident were found empty. In response to ongoing risks, state officials are relocating workers from high-risk areas. Scientists warn that climate change and rapid development in the fragile Himalayan region are contributing to the increasing frequency of avalanches and other extreme weather events.

India Avalanche Rescue Enters Third Day as Four Workers Remain Missing

Rescue operations in Uttarakhand, India, have entered their third day as teams continue searching for four missing workers feared trapped under an avalanche in a remote border area. Freezing temperatures and ongoing snowfall have increased the risk of further snow slides, complicating efforts. The avalanche struck a construction camp near the India-Tibet border in Chamoli district on Friday, burying over 50 workers under snow and debris.

While rescue teams successfully saved 50 individuals, four later succumbed to their injuries. Officials revised the number of missing workers from five to four after confirming that one, initially thought to be trapped, had safely returned home. The state disaster response team located all steel containers used as shelters during the incident, but none contained missing workers. To aid the search, helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs have been deployed, while soldiers plan to use ground-penetrating radar. State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered the relocation of workers from high-risk areas due to continuous snowfall.

The avalanche site, situated at an altitude of over 3,200 meters (10,500 feet), is experiencing extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to minus 12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit). Avalanches and landslides are common in the Himalayas, particularly in winter, and scientists warn that climate change is worsening such extreme weather events. Additionally, rapid development, deforestation, and construction in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem have raised concerns about environmental sustainability.

In 2021, nearly 100 people lost their lives in Uttarakhand when a massive glacier chunk collapsed into a river, triggering flash floods that swept away villages, bridges, and infrastructure. The disaster raised serious concerns about the impact of climate change on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Experts believe rising temperatures are accelerating glacial melting, increasing the risk of such catastrophic events. Similarly, in 2013, devastating monsoon floods and landslides claimed approximately 6,000 lives, marking one of the deadliest natural disasters in India’s history. The floods destroyed homes, roads, and religious sites, displacing thousands and leaving entire communities in ruins. The scale of destruction prompted widespread calls for stricter regulations on construction and development in ecologically sensitive areas.

Despite these past tragedies, large-scale infrastructure projects, including roads, dams, and tunnels, continue to be developed in the Himalayas, often without sufficient environmental assessments. Critics argue that deforestation, unplanned urbanization, and excessive human intervention are worsening the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Scientists warn that climate change is further intensifying extreme weather patterns, leading to more frequent avalanches, landslides, and flash floods. Moving forward, experts emphasize the need for sustainable development policies that prioritize environmental conservation while balancing the region’s economic growth and infrastructure needs.