DEHRADUN, INDIA: A large-scale rescue operation concluded as the Indian military recovered the eighth and final body following a devastating avalanche that buried over 50 workers under snow and debris near Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Sector.
The avalanche struck a construction camp on Friday morning, trapping workers involved in a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project. Initially, authorities reported 55 workers at the site, later revising the number to 54 after discovering that one had safely made it home before the disaster.
Rescue Efforts and Survivors’ Accounts
The Indian Army deployed drone-based detection systems, multiple drones, and a rescue dog to locate those trapped. After hours of grueling efforts, rescue teams pulled survivors from beneath the snow.
Construction worker Anil, one of the survivors, described his miraculous escape. Speaking from his hospital bed, he recalled how he and his colleagues were buried alive.
“It felt like God’s angels came to save us,” he said. “We had no hope of surviving, but being alive now feels like a dream.”
Anil explained that many workers were asleep when the avalanche struck around 6:00 AM, while others were in makeshift toilets. Their steel container homes, considered stronger than tents, shook violently before sliding down under the weight of the snow.
“At first, we didn’t understand what was happening, but when we looked out, we saw nothing but piles of snow,” he said. “The roof of our container started bending inward, and we screamed for help.”
While some workers managed to escape, others remained trapped under the collapsing structures.
Rising Risks in the Himalayas
Avalanches and landslides are common in the upper Himalayas, particularly during winter. Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, and rapid construction in fragile mountain regions is increasing the risks.
Uttarakhand has seen multiple disasters in recent years. In 2021, nearly 100 people died when a glacier collapse triggered flash floods. In 2013, monsoon floods and landslides killed over 6,000 people, leading to renewed scrutiny of development projects in the state.
Authorities continue to monitor the region for further risks as rescue teams wrap up their operations.
