A tragic avalanche in Uttarakhand claimed eight lives, with rescue teams recovering the final body on Sunday, marking the end of an intense search operation in sub-zero temperatures. The disaster struck a construction camp near Mana village, burying more than 50 workers under snow and debris. Despite the efforts of relief teams, four rescued individuals later succumbed to their injuries.
Rescue Efforts in Harsh Conditions
The Indian Army, using drones and rescue dogs, led the mission to locate survivors trapped beneath the snow. Initially, officials estimated that 55 workers were present when the avalanche hit on Friday morning. However, they later revised the number to 54, as one worker was found to have left the site before the disaster.
Rescuers successfully pulled 50 people from the snow, though some were critically injured. Survivors described the sheer terror of being buried alive and the miraculous efforts that saved them.
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Survivors Recall the Disaster
Anil, a construction worker in his late 20s, was among those rescued. Speaking from his hospital bed, he described his near-death experience.
“It felt like God’s angels came to save us,” he said. “The way we were engulfed in snow, we had no hope of surviving. Being alive feels like a dream.”
Many workers were asleep or using makeshift toilets when the avalanche struck at 6 a.m. The impact was sudden, shaking the ground and sending steel containers sliding downhill. These containers, stronger than tents, were used as shelter for the workers.
Vipin Kumar, another survivor, recalled hearing a loud roar before the world around him went dark.
“I thought this was the end. I was buried under a thick layer of snow and could hardly breathe,” he told a local newspaper.
A Fight Against Nature
The rescue operation took place at an altitude of 3,200 meters, where temperatures had plunged to minus 12 degrees Celsius. Families of survivors, like Dhan Singh Bisht, expressed gratitude for the rapid response of relief teams.
“My son and nephew survived only because of the rescuers’ quick action,” he said, overwhelmed with emotion.
A Growing Threat in the Himalayas
Avalanches and landslides are common in the Himalayas, particularly in winter. However, scientists warn that climate change is increasing the severity of such disasters.
Rapid deforestation and construction in fragile mountain regions have also raised concerns. In 2021, nearly 100 people died in Uttarakhand when a glacier collapse triggered flash floods. In 2013, catastrophic monsoon floods and landslides killed 6,000 people, prompting calls for stricter regulations on development projects.
A Warning for the Future
This latest tragedy highlights the growing risks in the region. As climate change intensifies, authorities must take urgent measures to protect communities living in high-risk areas. While the rescue mission has ended, the disaster serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by nature and human activity in the Himalayas.
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