At least 8 people are dead after an avalanche hit 4 km ahead of Sumna region near Joshimath in Uttarakhand on Friday. The area has been experiencing heavy rainfall and snowfall for the past five days. Reports say, rescue operations were launched by the Indian Army immediately and over 400 people have been safely rescued.
The road access is cut off at five locations due to multiple landslides, and the Border Roads Task Force teams from Joshimath are working to clear the route from Bhapkund to Sumna since last evening. It is expected to take another 6 to 8 hours to clear this complete axis.
Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat conducted an aerial survey of the Sumna area of Joshimath on Saturday. "Home Minister Amit Shah called us up last night. NDRF & District Administration are on the job. ITBP and BRO were informed. The rescue was done quickly. BRO is carrying out the operation but the connectivity remains affected", said.