A devastating avalanche in northern India’s Uttarakhand state has left eight workers dead after being trapped for 36 hours in metal containers. The Indian Army launched a rescue operation, saving the lives of dozens of migrant laborers who were working on a highway project.
The workers had set up temporary accommodation in the containers due to inclement weather and this decision is believed to have saved many lives. Lt. Col. Manish Srivastava, a defense spokesperson, stated that the containers “kept people safe” and made the rescue efforts easier by providing a clear target for search parties.
Avalanches are common in the Himalayas during winter, but climate change is making extreme weather events more severe and unpredictable. The region’s glaciers have melted at an alarming rate, with 65% of them losing mass in the 2010s compared to the previous decade. This increase in glacier melting heightens the risk of floods, landslides, and avalanches, posing a significant threat to millions living in mountain communities.
In recent years, extreme weather events have claimed numerous lives. In 2021, over 200 people died after a glacier collapse in Uttarakhand, which triggered a deadly mixture of ice, rock, and water that destroyed a dam and caused widespread destruction.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/04/asia/india-avalanche-survivors-mana-intl-hnk/index.html