Dozens of construction workers have been rescued alive after being buried for nearly two days in metal containers following a powerful avalanche in Uttarakhand, northern India, according to officials.
The avalanche struck a construction camp near Mana village on Friday, burying 54 workers. Eight people were killed, while 46 others survived—protected by the metal containers they were living in, which provided enough oxygen until rescuers reached them.
The 60-hour rescue operation, conducted in sub-zero temperatures, concluded on Sunday. Teams from the Indian Army, National and State Disaster Response Forces, and local authorities worked tirelessly, using helicopters and drones to locate survivors.
Satyaprakash Yadav, a worker from Uttar Pradesh, described the avalanche hitting their shelter like a landslide.
“The container broke apart and slid near a river. We managed to escape and reached an army guest house for shelter,” he said in a video released by the Indian Army.
Another worker, Rajnish Kumar from Pithoragarh, said most of them were asleep when the avalanche struck.
“The snow pushed our container 50 to 60 meters down the mountain. The army arrived quickly and saved us,” he added.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to the rescue teams for their work under extreme conditions. Many of the rescued workers are now receiving medical care in Joshimath and Rishikesh hospitals.
The India Meteorological Department has issued further warnings for rain and snow across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir until Tuesday, raising concerns of additional avalanches.
Avalanches and landslides are common in the Himalayan region, especially during winter.
Experts warn that climate change is intensifying extreme weather while deforestation and rapid construction in Uttarakhand’s mountainous areas increase environmental vulnerability.
In 2021, nearly 100 people died when a glacier collapsed in Uttarakhand, triggering catastrophic flash floods.