At least 25 workers remain trapped following a significant avalanche that struck a remote border area in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, according to officials. Sandeep Tiwari, a senior district official, told BBC Hindi that 32 workers were rescued and taken to a nearby army camp. The avalanche occurred at a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in the village of Mana, situated on the border with Tibet. Rescue operations are continuing despite the extreme weather conditions due to heavy snowfall. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the BRO, and other teams are conducting the rescue efforts. Emergency teams and ambulances have been dispatched, but the challenging weather continues to hinder the rescuers. ITBP shared footage on X, showing rescuers carrying individuals on stretchers through deep snow. Colonel Ankur Mahajan, a BRO commander, informed the Hindustan Times that the rescued individuals are receiving treatment, but the extent of their injuries is unclear. Gaurav Kunwar, a former village council member of Mana, mentioned that the area is mostly inhabited by laborers working on border roads during the winter season. There is also an army presence in the area. Earlier on Friday, the India Meteorological Department issued warnings of heavy rainfall and snow in the northern Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. Orange alerts have also been issued for snowfall in several districts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c36wwld19gzo