Uttarakhand: In a devastating turn of events, an avalanche in Uttarakhand’s Badrinath has left over 55 workers trapped under snow, prompting a massive rescue operation. The incident occurred on the National Highway connecting Mana to Ghastoli, following a period of heavy snowfall in the region. Multiple agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are involved in the rescue efforts.
The avalanche struck on Friday, burying workers employed by a private contractor for road construction. Initially, 16 workers were rescued, while efforts continue to evacuate the remaining 41. The disaster highlights the risks faced by workers in high-altitude regions during severe weather conditions.
The rescue operation is being conducted by a team of experts from the SDRF, NDRF, district administration, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The workers were part of a construction project on the National Highway, which has been severely impacted by the avalanche.
In response to the incident, the government has issued an alert for residents in the area, warning them of potential dangers. Additionally, an avalanche alert has been issued for higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, urging people to exercise caution and avoid traveling to avalanche-prone areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an orange alert for several hilly regions, predicting heavy rain and potential localized flooding. This warning underscores the need for vigilance in regions prone to natural disasters.
