23 trapped after avalanche in Indian mountain state

Twenty three people remain trapped under snow in an avalanche in India's mountain state of Uttarakhand after heavy snowfall.

Thirty-two workers have been rescued so far with rescue efforts ongoing after the snow hit a construction worker’s camp in the area. 

The avalanche occurred near a highway in the state's Chamoli region, adjoining Tibet, and less than 5 km (3 miles) from the Hindu temple of Badrinath, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of devotees every year.

Indian authorities had earlier said that the bad weather in the area was hindering rescue efforts as five of the eight containers initially buried under the snow had been recovered so far. 

Uttarakhand state chief Pushkar Singh Dhami, addressing the press stated that search operations are ongoing for the remaining workers. 

"A total of 57 workers were working there, of which two were on leave, thus 55 workers were there. Thirty two of them have been safely rescued and some of them are injured as well. So, all arrangements are being made for their treatment. Search operations are ongoing for the remaining workers."

It is unclear whether there are any casualties from the incident. 

The state which is located in the Himalayas is prone to landslides and flash floods due to rising temperatures as environmentalists continue to urge a review of power projects and other development work there.

An earlier avalanche in the area in 2022 killed 16 people while 80 more people lost their lives with over 200 declared missing when part of a glacier broke away in the state in February 2021. 

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