Workers trapped under the landslide in Himolay for 36 hours were rescued alive

In Uttarakhand, India, workers trapped in metal containers due to a powerful snow avalanche in the foothills of the Himalayas managed to survive for 36 hours. According to CNN, they were rescued by the Indian Army.

Details of the disaster

The avalanche occurred on February 28, near the village of Mana, located at an altitude of 10,500 feet (3,200 meters) above sea level. During the rescue operations, it was reported that 46 workers survived, while 8 were confirmed dead. The Indian Army conducted a large-scale rescue operation in the area.

Containers – a chance for survival

The workers involved in the construction were mainly migrants from distant regions, participating in road construction. Under normal conditions, the workers lived in tents, but due to adverse weather, they spent time in metal containers, which played a crucial role in preserving their lives.

The containers also facilitated the rescue efforts. Finding bodies buried under snow is more challenging than locating a large container.

Global climate change and risks in the Himalayas

Snow avalanches in the Himalayas occur mainly during the winter season. However, in recent years, such incidents have increased due to global climate change. Analyses show that since 2010, glaciers have been melting 65 percent faster, leading to the deterioration of ice layers and the formation of floods. This situation puts the lives of millions of people in mountainous areas at risk.

Statistics on disasters

In this region of India, snow avalanches have caused several serious disasters. In 2021, more than 200 people died due to a part of the Uttarakhand glaciers collapsing. Experts believe that the erosion of glacier slopes and continuous flooding are further increasing the risk of snow avalanches.

This incident highlighted the need to reassess construction and safety measures in India and other mountainous areas. Both the local population and labor migrants are directly affected by climate change. Additional safety measures are expected to be implemented by the government to prevent such incidents.