NEW DELHI – At least 25 people remain trapped under snow after an avalanche struck the Chamoli region in the Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, following heavy snowfall in the area, authorities said on Friday. The avalanche occurred near a highway less than 5 km from the Hindu temple of Badrinath, a popular pilgrimage site.
The incident hit a labor site of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), burying eight containers and one shed with 57 workers inside. The Indian Army confirmed that five containers have been located, while the search for the remaining three continues. So far, 32 workers have been rescued, and no casualties have been reported.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by ongoing heavy snowfall and poor visibility, limiting helicopter operations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are also facing delays due to severe weather conditions.
Uttarakhand, prone to flash floods and landslides due to climate change, has witnessed multiple natural disasters in recent years. In 2021, a glacier collapse killed at least 80 people, and an avalanche in 2022 claimed 16 lives.