At least four people have died following an avalanche that struck a highway construction site in Uttarakhand, India, near the border with China on March 1, 2025. The avalanche trapped 55 workers under snow, prompting extensive rescue operations by the Indian army and other agencies.
- Avalanche strikes highway construction site
- Four confirmed dead, dozens trapped
- Rescue teams continue search for missing
- Injured workers receiving medical treatment
- Weather hampers rescue operations
- Region prone to avalanches and floods
The avalanche occurred in the Mana Pass area of Uttarakhand, impacting a highway expansion project. Rescuers have been working tirelessly for over 24 hours to locate and assist those trapped. As of Saturday, 50 workers were rescued, but four succumbed to their injuries later. The Indian army confirmed that five workers remain missing, and rescue teams continue to search for them.
Rescue operations have faced challenges due to heavy snowfall and difficult terrain. Army doctors have performed life-saving surgeries on critically injured workers, and those in serious condition are being prioritized for evacuation. The Uttarakhand State Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, stated that efforts are ongoing to safely extract the remaining trapped workers.
Many of the trapped individuals were migrant laborers involved in the highway project, which spans a 50-kilometer stretch from Mana to Mana Pass. The region is known for its ecological fragility and susceptibility to natural disasters, including avalanches and flash floods. Past incidents in Uttarakhand have highlighted the dangers posed by such environmental conditions, including a glacier disaster in 2021 that resulted in nearly 100 fatalities.
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by workers in hazardous environments, particularly in regions vulnerable to natural disasters. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on locating the missing workers and providing necessary medical assistance to the injured.
