A rescue operation is underway to save at least 25 construction workers trapped under snow following a glacier burst in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in India.
Fifty-seven workers were initially trapped after an avalanche hit Mana village in Chamoli district near the India-China border.
Authorities said rescue teams have pulled out 32 workers so far.
Rescue workers say heavy snowfall is making it difficult to reach the spot where the workers are trapped.
The incident took place less than 5km from the popular Hindu temple of Badrinath, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of devotees each year.
At least three ambulances have been sent to the location, Border Roads Organisation executive engineer CR Meena told reporters.
The National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police have been pressed into the rescue operation.
“Sad news has been received about many workers being buried under snow due to avalanche during construction work being conducted,” Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said. “Relief and rescue work is being conducted by ITBP, BRO and other rescue teams.”
Authorities have been unable to deploy helicopters due to rainfall and snowfall in the region. “Since satellite phones and other such equipment are not available there, we have not been able to have a clear communication with the,” Chamoli district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
So far there has been no official information about any casualties.
Authorities in the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh had issued an avalanche alert for the region on 28 February.
